Fastest-Sinking Cities In America, According To New Study

A recent Virginia Tech study mapped measurable sinking across 28 major U.S. cities using satellite radar. The findings reveal that in many places, the downward movement is gradual but widespread. Groundwater extraction, soil compaction, and even underground heat play roles. While not always visible day-to-day, these changes can weaken infrastructure over time.

Here are some cities where the study found some of the most significant declines.

Houston, Texas

Researchers found that Houston is losing elevation faster than any other city surveyed. Forty-two percent of its land drops more than five millimeters yearly, with 12 percent sinking beyond ten millimeters. Groundwater pumping to supply its growing population drives much of the change. Roads, drainage channels, and building foundations face increased strain.

Dallas, Texas

The city’s dependence on aquifers is a major factor in its steady land loss, with Dallas subsiding at more than four millimeters per year on average. Infrastructure planners are increasingly aware of the risks in high-subsidence zones, where development must account for vertical land motion data to avoid long-term structural strain.

Fort Worth, Texas

As of now, almost the entire Fort Worth urban area is affected by a measurable reduction. Many residential neighborhoods and industrial zones experience steady downward movement. As in nearby Dallas and Houston, the demand for water accelerates the process. This gradual drop in elevation places added stress on streets, bridges, and drainage systems.

New York City, New York

Engineers and planners in New York City are incorporating land motion data into project designs to limit the effects of slow but ongoing sinking. Satellite radar shows LaGuardia Airport losing upwards of five millimeters every twelve months, and about ten percent of the city’s land is experiencing notable subsidence.

Chicago, Illinois

Underground heat in Chicago has altered soil density and contributed to the descent of certain regions in the city. Some infrastructure may have been affected for decades without recognition of the role subsidence plays. Modern construction projects factor in these temperature-driven changes along with soil stability and groundwater considerations.

Columbus, Ohio

Large portions of Columbus sink at a rate of one to two millimeters in twelve months and affect about 98 percent of its land area. The activity happens in a way that’s often unnoticed by the public but is evident in long-term monitoring data.

Detroit, Michigan

Historic industrial groundwater use in Detroit has left lasting effects on the stability of specific neighborhoods. Road repair crews often encounter surface damage consistent with subsidence. The gradual pace masks the problem, but the cost of ignoring it could be significant for Detroit’s infrastructure over the following decades.

San Francisco, California

Multiple factors influence San Francisco’s subsidence. Groundwater withdrawals cause localized drops, while seismic activity and fault movement contribute in other parts of the city. Low-lying neighborhoods face the added challenge of rising sea levels. It also does not help that coastal flooding risk increases when elevation decreases, even slightly.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Research in Charlotte is helping engineers understand how gradual land descent affects infrastructure across the city. Various areas lose one to two millimeters of elevation annually, a rate that can alter drainage patterns and stretch transportation networks. Addressing these issues during construction is more cost-effective than repairing problems that develop years after completion.

San Diego, California

Some neighborhoods in San Diego sink quickly because of coastal influences and water withdrawals. Average rates are modest, but local variations affect infrastructure planning. Areas with faster subsidence face greater flood exposure and drainage challenges. That is why stormwater systems and coastal defenses are among the top priorities for engineers.

Seattle, Washington

The waterfront in Seattle is one of the few places in the country where subsidence, sea level rise, and earthquake risk overlap. As a result, infrastructure planning in the city now addresses how these hazards interact and guides long-term investments that can better withstand environmental and geological pressures over the coming decades.

Indianapolis, Indiana

While the pace of land sinking in Indianapolis is modest, the long-term effects are significant. Pavement weakens, rails shift out of alignment, and bridge joints experience greater stress. On this note, experts use data to guide planning decisions for projects that need to remain functional over several decades despite slow ground movement.

Los Angeles, California

Parts of Los Angeles are subsiding faster than others due to concentrated groundwater use. Uneven activity between connected neighborhoods can damage utilities and transit lines. Repairing systems in these conditions is highly complicated, as adjustments in one area can affect stability elsewhere in nearby localities.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Early detection of deterioration in Las Vegas is necessary because small ground shifts can damage essential infrastructure before the problem becomes visible. Soil compaction can weaken foundations and misalign pipelines. Authorities are currently tracking settlement patterns to plan targeted repairs and prevent isolated issues from spreading through interconnected utility and transportation networks.