Texas Population Surpasses 31 Million, Growth Slows

Four of the five fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations over 20,000 are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

From July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, Texas' population exceeded 31 million, growing by 1.2% (391,243 residents). This rate represents a slowdown from previous years, attributed primarily to a 45% decline in international immigration. Nationwide, the average growth rate for U.S. metro areas decreased from 1.1% to 0.6% during the same period.

Fastest-Growing Cities and Suburbs

Celina, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas, was the fastest-growing U.S. city with a population over 20,000, recording a growth rate of approximately 25% (12,710 new residents). Four of the five fastest-growing cities in this category were in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex: Celina, Princeton, Melissa, and Anna. Fulshear, in the Houston metro area, was the second fastest-growing.

Waller County grew from 56,769 to 69,858 residents since 2020 — a 5.7% increase.

Waller County, located northeast of Houston, was identified as the fastest-growing county in Texas and the second-fastest in the U.S., with a 5.7% population increase. Since 2020, its population grew from 56,769 to 69,858. Four of the top ten fastest-growing counties in the U.S. were in Texas: Waller, Kaufman, Liberty, and Caldwell counties.

Factors contributing to suburban growth include availability of land for development, addition of jobs (nearly 10,000 in Waller County), strategic highway access, and a preference among residents for more space and lower density. Fast-growing suburbs offer relatively cheaper housing, newer schools and parks, and a perception of better public safety compared to core cities.

Major Urban Area Trends

Fort Worth, Texas became the 10th most populous U.S. city, joining Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio in the top 10. Fort Worth added 19,512 residents, the most in Texas. Austin's population exceeded 1 million for the first time, becoming the 12th most populous city. San Antonio added 14,359 residents (third highest in the U.S.).

The Houston metropolitan region saw the largest numerical increase among U.S. metro areas, adding 126,720 people.

The Dallas-Fort Worth region followed with 123,557 new residents. Harris County recorded the largest increase among U.S. counties, adding 48,695 residents. Collin, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and Williamson counties were also among the top ten U.S. counties for new residents.

However, six of Texas's 15 largest cities lost residents: Dallas, El Paso, Arlington, Plano, Irving, and Garland. Dallas County ranked ninth nationally for numeric population decline, with 2,616 more residents leaving than moving in. Analysis indicates residents are relocating to communities surrounding Dallas County due to limited and costly housing options within the urban core.

Regional Migration and Border Area Slowdown

Three metro areas along the southern border registered the sharpest declines in population growth rates in 2025:

Laredo, Texas: Dropped from 3.2% to 0.2%
Yuma, Arizona: Declined from 3.3% to 1.4%
El Centro, California: Went from 1.2% into negative territory at -0.7%

These regions had experienced growth in 2024 due to increased immigration, but slowed international migration under the Trump administration has reduced population growth, particularly in border cities like El Paso. State Demographer Lloyd Potter stated that Texas remains the fastest-growing state and is not expected to experience a dramatic slowdown or population loss.

Hurricane Impact on Population

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) lost almost 12,000 residents — the second-highest loss nationally.

Destructive hurricanes Helene and Milton, which affected Florida's Gulf Coast in fall 2024, caused extensive damage and led to resident departures. Taylor County, a rural community in Florida's Big Bend area heavily impacted by the hurricanes, experienced the steepest growth rate decline among U.S. counties, falling by -2.2%.

Buncombe County, North Carolina (home to Asheville), saw over 2,000 residents leave after Helene's remnants affected mountain towns. Cities affected by the hurricanes, including Asheville and several Florida Gulf Coast cities, also experienced population declines.

National Growth Patterns

The New York metro area, despite leading in natural increase (births outpacing deaths) by over 32,000 residents, slid to 13th in overall growth due to a drop in immigrants. Several midsize metros in Florida and South Carolina recorded the highest growth rates, led by Ocala, Florida at 3.4%.

Seattle was the only non-Southern city in the top 10 for numeric population gain.

Population losses were highest in Twentynine Palms, California and Key West, Florida, attributed to housing shortages and conversion to short-term rentals.

The figures cover the year through July 1, 2025, coinciding with the initial months of President Donald Trump's second term and the start of his administration's immigration crackdown. With an aging American population and declining birth rates over the past two decades, immigration has become a critical source of growth for many communities.