Washington, D.C., has been the federal capital of the United States since 1800. This is the central, highest level of government and leads the entire country, while state governments control individual states. Each state has a capital city where the elected government resides.
It is a common misconception that New York City is the capital of New York or that Philadelphia is the state capital of Pennsylvania. In reality, the US state capitals are not necessarily the biggest and most major cities in a given state; they may be relatively small cities home to many of its government offices, agencies, and the state capitol building.
How US state capitals were chosen
US state capitals were chosen based on a variety of factors. Location accessibility and significant historical events such as the gold rush are just some of the reasons why states leaned toward one city over another— and some states have even had to change their capital more than once.
However, changing a state capital is an arduous process. They must gain legislative approval and a public vote to finalize the decision. In addition, moving the capital means securing funding to relocate government buildings, employees, and resources. This would affect businesses and workers in the area, which is why many would oppose such a move.
US state capital list
The table below lists all 50 US state capitals along with the year they were officially designated as state capitals. Some cities may have previously served as territorial capitals before statehood, but the years provided reflect when they officially became state capitals. View the state flags.
| State Name | State Capitals | Year Established |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Montgomery | 1846 |
| Alaska | Juneau | 1959 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | 1912 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 1836 |
| California | Sacramento | 1854 |
| Colorado | Denver | 1881 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 1875 |
| Delaware | Dover | 1787 |
| Florida | Tallahassee | 1845 |
| Georgia | Atlanta | 1868 |
| Hawaii | Honolulu | 1959 |
| Idaho | Boise | 1890 |
| Illinois | Springfield | 1839 |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | 1825 |
| Iowa | Des Moines | 1857 |
| Kansas | Topeka | 1861 |
| Kentucky | Frankfort | 1792 |
| Louisiana | Baton Rouge | 1849 |
| Maine | Augusta | 1831 |
| Maryland | Annapolis | 1788 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | 1788 |
| Michigan | Lansing | 1847 |
| Minnesota | Saint Paul | 1858 |
| Mississippi | Jackson | 1821 |
| Missouri | Jefferson City | 1821 |
| Montana | Helena | 1889 |
| Nebraska | Lincoln | 1867 |
| Nevada | Carson City | 1864 |
| New Hampshire | Concord | 1808 |
| New Jersey | Trenton | 1790 |
| New Mexico | Santa Fe | 1912 |
| New York | Albany | 1797 |
| North Carolina | Raleigh | 1792 |
| North Dakota | Bismarck | 1889 |
| Ohio | Columbus | 1816 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | 1910 |
| Oregon | Salem | 1864 |
| Pennsylvania | Harrisburg | 1812 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | 1900 |
| South Carolina | Columbia | 1788 |
| South Dakota | Pierre | 1889 |
| Tennessee | Nashville | 1843 |
| Texas | Austin | 1845 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | 1896 |
| Vermont | Montpelier | 1805 |
| Virginia | Richmond | 1788 |
| Washington | Olympia | 1889 |
| West Virginia | Charleston | 1885 |
| Wisconsin | Madison | 1848 |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | 1890 |
Download: Printable list of the US state capitals.
US state capitals map
This US map shows the location of the state capitals. We also have resources which focus mainly on learning the 50 states.
Next up: Printable map of state capitals.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.