Highest Elevation in the United States

Elevation and Geography of the United States

• Do most major U.S. cities have low or high elevations?
  • Many major American cities are located near or on the coastlines, meaning they generally have low elevations of around 500 feet (152 meters) or less.
• Where are the highest elevation points in the U.S. typically found?
  • The United States is home to many mountain ranges and high points.
  • As one moves further inland, the average elevation of the land begins to rise.
  • Many of the highest elevation points and cities are located away from the coasts.
• Which U.S. states have the highest mean elevations?
  • The top three states with the highest mean elevations are:
  • Colorado
  • Wyoming
  • Utah
  • All of these states are located far from the east or west coasts.

Highest Elevation Point in the United States

• What is the highest elevation point in the United States?
  • The highest elevation point in the United States is Denali, also known as Mount McKinley.
  • Denali is located in Alaska and has an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level.
• Is Denali the highest mountain in North America?
  • Yes, Denali is the highest mountain in both the United States and the entire continent of North America.
• How does Denali compare to other mountains worldwide?
  • Denali is lower than some of the world's tallest mountains, including:
  • Mount Everest – 29,029 feet (8,848 meters)
  • K2 – 28,251 feet (8,611 meters)
  • However, Denali is still considered one of the most impressive natural sights in the world.
• Where did the name Denali come from?
  • The name Denali was coined by the Koyukon Alaskan people and has been used for many centuries.
  • In the late 19th century, the mountain was renamed Mount McKinley after the 25th U.S. President, William McKinley.
  • In 2015, the official name was changed back to Denali.
• What are Denali's other notable features?
  • Denali has the world’s largest vertical rise.
  • It is also the third most prominent and third most isolated peak on the planet.
• What is the highest elevation point in the contiguous United States?
  • Outside of Alaska, the highest elevation point in the U.S. is Mount Whitney in California.
  • Mount Whitney has an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 meters).

Highest Elevation City in the United States

• What is the highest statutory city in the United States?
  • The highest statutory city in the U.S. is Leadville, Colorado.
  • Leadville is located in Lake County, Colorado and has an elevation of 10,152 feet (3,094 meters).
• What is the history of Leadville, Colorado?
  • Leadville was an old silver mining town with an estimated population of around 2,600 people.
  • In the 1800s, it was the second most populous city in Colorado.
  • However, after the mining industry declined, the city’s population significantly decreased.
• Are there other high-elevation towns in Colorado?
  • Yes, Colorado is home to several other highly elevated towns and communities.
• What is the highest incorporated municipality in the United States?
  • The highest incorporated municipality in the U.S. is Alma, Colorado, with an elevation of 10,355 feet (3,156 meters).
  • Alma has its own post office, making it the highest post office in the country.
• Is Montezuma, Colorado higher than Leadville?
  • Yes, the Colorado town of Montezuma has an elevation of 10,335 feet (3,150 meters), making it higher than Leadville.
  • However, Montezuma is only a statutory town, not an official city.

Highest Elevation State in America

As Colorado is home to the highest city and highest incorporated municipality in the United States in the forms of Leadville and Alma, it’s no surprise that Colorado is the state with the highest mean average too. Colorado has a mean elevation of 6,800 feet (2,070 m), which is a full 100 feet higher than the mean elevation of the second highest state, Wyoming, which has a mean elevation of 6,700 feet (2,040 m).

The state with the largest elevation span, i.e. the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in the state, is Alaska. The highest point in the state of Alaska is Denali at 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m), while its lowest point is the waters of the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea, which are at sea level, giving it a total elevation span of 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m).