Newspapers are an excellent way for people to keep themselves up-to-date in terms of local, national, and international events. Reading the morning paper can also provide insight into everything from celebrity news to the latest developments in agriculture and technology. As you can probably imagine, tons of United States citizens read the newspapers every day in order to stay informed!
So, just how many copies of the top American newspapers are circulated on an average weekday? Today we’ll be looking at the 10 largest newspapers in the United States and ranking them according to their average daily circulation count! We’ll also learn some interesting facts about what sets each one apart.
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Boston Globe
Headquarters Location: Massachusetts
Owning Company: Boston Globe Media Partners
Primary Circulation Area: Boston
Source: wikimedia.org
The Boston Globe, often simply known as “The Globe,” was created in 1872, and it is the oldest newspaper in Boston. Charles H. Taylor purchased the paper in 1877 and quickly increased the circulation to include both a morning and evening news lineup. The paper originally focused largely on local news and events and still puts a spotlight on local happenings today, but it now includes much more national and international coverage.
Did you know?
The Boston Globe was the first big-name newspaper in the United States to speak out against the Vietnam War.
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Chicago Tribune
Headquarters Location: Illinois
Owning Company: Tribune Publishing Company
Primary Circulation Area: Chicago
Source: wikimedia.org
Three Chicago residents came together to form the Chicago Tribune in 1847, but unfortunately, the company was nearly bankrupt by 1855. Editor Joseph Medill Patterson then promptly purchased the company, saving it from ruin by taking advantage of engaging topics like abolition. Thanks to Joseph, the Chicago Tribune became closely linked with Abraham Lincoln and was used to promote his views.
Did you know?
When the Chicago Tribune became slightly less political in its content, it became known for its reliable coverage of midwestern agriculture and industry.
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Newsday
Headquarters Location: New York
Owning Company: Newsday Media Group
Primary Circulation Area: Melville
Source: wikimedia.org
This evening tabloid newspaper was founded by Alicia Patterson, daughter of Joseph Medill Patterson, alongside her husband, Harry Guggenheim. Alicia had actually been fired from her father’s publication in the past for getting basic facts about a divorce incorrect in a published piece! The publication moved around between several plants for a few decades before finally settling in Melville.
Did you know?
Newsday won the first of its three Pulitzer Prizes for its “disinterested and meritorious public service” in 1953.
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Star Tribune
Headquarters Location: Minnesota
Owning Company: Star Tribune Media Company
Primary Circulation Area: Minneapolis
Source: wikimedia.org
This newspaper was originally founded in 1867 as the Minneapolis Tribune and later became a competing paper, the Minneapolis Daily Star, in 1920. The competing newspapers were combined into a single publication, and the Tribune was released each morning while the Daily Star was put out in the evenings. After 1987, the newspaper was published in three different editions based on different regions.
Did you know?
The Daily Star states that it prioritizes public service and local issues in its publications.
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The Washington Post
Headquarters Location: District of Columbia
Owning Company: Nash Holdings
Primary Circulation Area: Washington D.C.
Source: wikimedia.org
The Washington Post is one of the most prestigious American newspapers, having firmly established a name for itself by covering political events and news. The Washington Post was first established in 1877 and sold several times, becoming more sensationalist during the early 1900s. This paper is number one in the United States capital and is said to be one of the greatest news publications in the country.
Did you know?
In 1954, The Washington Post bought the Washington Times-Herald, acquiring the rights to Drew Pearson’s column as a result.
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Los Angeles Times
Headquarters Location: California
Owning Company: Nant Capital
Primary Circulation Area: Los Angeles
Source: wikimedia.org
First founded in 1881, the Los Angeles Times truly began picking up momentum during the 1960s when its coverage expanded past local daily news and included more widespread interests. Publisher Otis Chandler played a key role in increasing the reach of the newspaper’s coverage during this time. The newspaper is known for being politically biased, but was still highly commended for its hand in Southern California’s technology growth and innovation.
Did you know?
During its early days, the Los Angeles Times was known for a distinct theme of boosterism, or content specifically formulated to make its local area seem more appealing.
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The New York Post
Headquarters Location: New York
Owning Company: News Corp
Primary Circulation Area: New York
Source: wikimedia.org
Not to be confused with the New York Times, the New York Post has remained the United States’ oldest continuously-published newspaper since its founding in 1801! This newspaper was founded by Alexander Hamilton as the New-York Evening Post, and it only cost $10,000 to do so at the time. Hamilton’s co-investors included Oliver Wolcott and Robert Troup, who were both members of the Federalist Party.
Did you know?
Rupert Murdoch, founder of News Corp., bought the New York Post in 1976 for $30.5 million.
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The New York Times
Headquarters Location: New York
Owning Company: The New York Times Company
Primary Circulation Area: New York City
Source: wikimedia.org
Speaking of the New York Times, this morning daily newspaper has actually never once been America’s largest newspaper in terms of circulation volume. Instead, its claim to fame lies with its excellent editing and intellectual edge. The paper was founded in 1851 and has since won a staggering 127 Pulitzer Prizes! The New York Times Company has been owned and controlled by the Sulzberger family since 1896.
Did you know?
The New York Times’ motto is “All the News That’s Fit to Print”.
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The Wall Street Journal
Headquarters Location: New York
Owning Company: New Corp
Primary Circulation Area: New York City
Source: wikimedia.org
Edward Jones and Charles Dow of Dow Jones & Company founded the Wall Street Journal in 1889, building upon the roots they both had in the journalism field. This newspaper has an undeniable focus on economics and related local events with business people and the financial community as its target audience. The Wall Street Journal has also won 37 Pulitzer Prizes for its thorough and snappy news coverage.
Did you know?
The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal has promoted a fair bit of pseudoscience regarding climate change, ozone depletion, and acid rain.
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USA Today
Headquarters Location: Virginia
Owning Company: Gannett Company
Primary Circulation Area: McLean, Virginia
Source: wikimedia.org
USA Today is the largest newspaper publication in the United States according to circulation volume. It is also known for providing high-quality coverage alongside colorful images, concise stories, and content related to current events in the entertainment industry. These features were what originally set USA Today apart from its competitors, and they’ve since influenced other newspapers to follow suit! USA Today first launched its website on April 17, 1995 in order to provide live coverage as well.