Final answer:
In 2004, the Census Bureau reported New York City as the city with the largest population, reaching 8.1 million people.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2004, the Census Bureau reported that the city with the largest population was New York City, with a population of 8.1 million. New York City, often at the top of the urban hierarchy, continued to grow due to its status as a massive urban conglomeration, known as a Combined Statistical Area (CSA).
This immense urban area includes not only New York City itself but also encompasses smaller cities and towns in northern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and southern Connecticut, contributing to its large population count.