The ranking of the largest cities in Israel (in population)
1. Jerusalem, a religious and cultural capital
874,000 people live in Jerusalem, which became the new capital of the state of Israel a few years ago. But this city is above all a religious capital. It is indeed of major importance for the three monotheistic religions. Such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a religious center of international scope which makes it a place where religions, international relations, and regional politics are intimately linked. And by the way, when we study the etymology of Jerusalem we get the city created by Shalem (the local popular God of the Canaanites).
The city of Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel, both in terms of area and population. Jerusalem covers 126 km², which gives a density of about 7,100 inhabitants per km².
2. Tel Aviv, one of the largest cities in Israel
The second largest city in the country has a population of 435,855. This Israeli city is located in the center of the country on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Although the city is no longer officially the capital of Israel, Tel Aviv is still home to many embassies. It is also the economic center of the country. Tel Aviv is the most influential city in Israel, with a population of nearly 3.5 million people living in the metropolitan area.
The city is easily recognizable by its sober architecture. The architecture is mainly from the 1930s, with rectangular buildings in the “art deco” style.
3. Haifa
Haifa has a population of about 280,000 and is the third-largest city in the country. Located in the north of the country not far from the Lebanese border, Haifa is the most important city in northern Israel. The city enjoys a pleasant location as Haifa is also situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Haifa, the third largest city in the country, covers an area of about 60 km² and has a relatively high density of 4,700 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Due to its strategic location, Haifa is home to one of Israel’s main ports and one of the country’s most important oil pipelines. This is the Eilat pipeline, which brings almost 10 million tons of crude oil to Israeli refineries.
But Haifa is not only a commercial port or an industrial zone. It is also a popular place for tourists. Mount Carmel overlooks Haifa and its 17 kilometers of beach. So Haifa is also a tourist destination.
4. Petah Tivka
There are approximately 253,500 people in Petah Tivka, a city in the administrative region of the central district. The fifth largest city in Israel is also located on the outskirts of the city of Tel Aviv. This city of 36 km² has a density of 7100 inhabitants per km².
The town was founded in 1878 by European Jewish pioneers, who built the first houses in this agricultural area.
5. Rishon-Lezion
With a population of approximately 252,200, Rishon-Lezion is the fourth largest city in Israel. Located slightly inland, the city was founded in 1882 by a group of people making their Aliyah (immigration to the land of Israel). The city subsequently developed, in particular, through agriculture and the cultivation of lemons and citrus fruits.
Today, Rishon-Lezion covers an area of 59 km² and has a population density of approximately 4,150 inhabitants per km².
6. Ashdod
219,000 people live in Ashdod, a city located on the Mediterranean coast just a short distance from Palestine. The city is relatively new as it was officially founded in 1956. Ashdod has an area of 47.2 km² and it is this small area that makes it a densely populated city. Indeed, there are 4,700 inhabitants per square kilometer.
But Ashdod is above all one of the main deepwater ports in this part of the Mediterranean. Maritime traffic is therefore relatively important with about fifteen million tons of freight passing through the port each year.
7. Netanya, one of the largest cities in Israel
Also located in the center of the country, the city of Netanya has a population of 211,000 inhabitants. The city is located by the sea, about 30 kilometers from Tel Aviv. The city covers an area of about 30 square kilometers.
8. Beer-Sheva
There are 202,000 people living in Beer-Sheva. This city covers an area of more than 117 km², which gives a density of 1,733 inhabitants per km².
The city was founded in 1900 in the south of the country. Due to its position, it is a key point in the network of the territory. The railway and bus stations in Beer-Sheva play an important role in passenger transportation.
9. Holon
Holon, not far from Tel Aviv, has a population of about 188,000. The city was founded in 1930 on sandy soil. This is why the city was named after it. Because “Holon” comes from the Hebrew word “khol” which means sand.
Holon is therefore a city bordering the capital and covers an area of 19 km². The density is therefore felt with almost 10,000 inhabitants per km².
10. Bnei Brak
Bnei Brak has a population of 189,000, making it the tenth-largest city in Israel. Bnei Brak is also located in the country’s largest metropolitan area (a suburb of Tel Aviv). The city has an area of 7.3 km² and a record population density of 25,700 inhabitants per km².