Purpose. We discuss the theoretical principles of the Zipf law for the distribution of cities. Empirical results. The results of the econometric analysis of the empirical Zipf's law on Russian census data for 1897 and 2010. As well as the results of the econometric analysis of the Zipf law separately for medium and large towns and cities and industrial communities with populations of less than 45,000 people. Results. Explores the idea of the Zipf law through the implementation of the law Gibrat.
