Grain yield response of nonprolific and prolific Corn Belt maize (Zea mays L.) single‐cross hybrids to plant densities from 20,500 to 72,000 plants/ha were investigated. Four types of hybrids, each type including seven hybrids, were grown at six plant densities in eight environments (two locations in four years). The hybrid types were: type 1, elite, nonprolific; type 2, first‐cycle, prolific; type 3, second‐cycle or elite, prolific; and type 4, crosses between elite, nonprolific, and first‐cycle, prolific parental lines. Types 1 and 3 had the highest average yields (86.5 and 89.7 q/ha, respectively) over all densities and environments and were not significantly different. Type 2 (76.3 q/ha) and type 4 (80.0 q/ha) yielded significantly less than types 1 and 3. Elite, prolific hybrids (type 3) yielded more uniformly over the range of densities (b1 = 0.33) than did the elite, nonprolific hybrids (type 1, b1 = 2.00). Types 2 and 4 were intermediate in response (b1 = 1.08 and 1.73, respectively). The extent of prolificacy at the various densities probably was the most important factor in explaining responses of the types.