Cities: Skylines milestones guide

What milestones are, why the population targets change from map to map, and which maps reach Megalopolis fastest.

Milestones are population targets that unlock new buildings, services and policies as your city grows. They run from Little Hamlet at the start all the way to Megalopolis.

The 13 milestones

Every map in this database uses the same 13 milestone names: Little Hamlet, Worthy Village, Tiny Town, Boom Town, Busy Town, Big Town, Small City, Big City, Grand City, Capital City, Colossal City, Metropolis and Megalopolis.

The population targets differ by map

Although the names are the same, the number of citizens you need is not. For the final milestone, Megalopolis, the requirement ranges from 20,000 to 95,000 citizens depending on the map. The maps that need the fewest citizens for Megalopolis are:

1. The Archipelago 20,000
2. Honu Island 36,000
3. Marin Bay 55,000
4. Black Woods 60,000
5. Crater Falls 60,000

Full ranking →

Each map page lists every milestone for that map in a table, so you can check before you start.

Why it matters

• Faster unlocks: a lower threshold means you get new services and buildings sooner.
• Pacing: a higher threshold stretches the game out and makes growth feel slower and more deliberate.
• Planning: if you plan to reach a big milestone, choose a map with enough buildable land to hold the population. See the maps with the most buildable land.

Tips for reaching milestones

• Keep residential, commercial and industrial demand balanced so the city keeps growing.
• Provide the basics early: roads, power, water and sewage, then schools, health care and public safety as the population rises.
• Use the outside connections on your map to attract new citizens; see our guide to outside connections.

Not sure which map to start on? Read how to choose a map.

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