In the latest Vintage 2022 Population Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas emerges as the frontrunner with the highest number of fastest-growing cities in the country. The South, in particular, boasts nine out of the 15 cities experiencing rapid growth. This article explores notable cities and trends, shedding light on the population changes and housing unit growth in various regions.
Fastest-Growing Cities in the Nation: Texas Leads the Way
Texas emerges as the leader in the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with Georgetown retaining its position as the fastest-growing city overall. The state's significant population surge is evident, with six cities from Texas featuring in the top 15. Fort Worth stands out for its remarkable numeric population gain in 2022.
While small towns continue to play a vital role in the country, the growth rate varies across regions, with the South experiencing growth and the Northeast and Midwest witnessing declines. The population growth in these cities presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring careful planning and investment in infrastructure and services to sustain the well-being and quality of life for residents.
Georgetown, Texas: The Fastest-Growing City in the Nation
Georgetown, Texas, retains its distinction as the fastest-growing city in the United States for the year 2022. With an impressive growth rate, Georgetown leads all cities and towns with a population of at least 50,000. Crystal Delbé, a statistician from the Census Bureau's Population Division, highlights this achievement while noting that New York remains the nation's largest city despite a recent decline in population. Let's delve into the details of the top-ranking cities.
Texas Dominates the Fastest-Growing Cities List
Out of the top 15 fastest-growing cities, six are located in Texas, showcasing the state's significant population surge. Following Georgetown, Santa Cruz, California, emerges as the second-fastest-growing city with a notable 12.5% increase, adding approximately 7,000 residents. The subsequent three cities experiencing rapid growth are also situated in Texas: Kyle, Leander, and Little Elm.
Numeric Population Growth: Fort Worth Takes the Lead
Texas stands out as the only state with more than three cities on both the fastest-growing large cities by numeric change and fastest-growing large cities by percent change lists. Fort Worth, Texas, secures the top spot for the largest numeric population gain in 2022, with a remarkable increase of 19,170 people. The other cities making significant numeric growth include Phoenix, Arizona (19,053); San Antonio, Texas (18,889); Seattle, Washington (17,749); and Charlotte, North Carolina (15,217).
The Most Populous Cities in the United States
After New York and Los Angeles, the ranking of the most populous cities includes Chicago, Illinois (2.7 million); Houston, Texas (2.3 million); Phoenix, Arizona (1.6 million); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1.6 million); San Antonio, Texas (1.5 million); San Diego, California (1.4 million); Dallas, Texas (1.3 million); Austin, Texas (1.0 million); Jacksonville, Florida (1.0 million); and San Jose, California (1.0 million). Fort Worth, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, both reach a population of 1.0 million as well.
Population Change in Small Towns and Regional Differences
While a significant portion of the population resides in cities with over 50,000 people, the United States remains a nation characterized by small towns. Out of approximately 19,500 incorporated places, around 75% have fewer than 5,000 residents, and almost 33% have fewer than 500. Analyzing regional disparities, small towns in the South observe a growth rate of 0.4%, while the Northeast and Midwest experienced declines of 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. Western small towns exhibit the most substantial growth with a 0.5% increase from 2021 to 2022.
| Rank | Area Name | State | Percent Increase | 2022 Total Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown city | Texas | 14.4 | 86,507 |
| 2 | Santa Cruz city | California | 12.5 | 61,800 |
| 3 | Kyle city | Texas | 10.9 | 57,470 |
| 4 | Leander city | Texas | 10.9 | 74,375 |
| 5 | Little Elm city | Texas | 8.0 | 55,357 |
| 6 | Westfield city | Indiana | 7.7 | 54,605 |
| 7 | Queen Creek town | Arizona | 6.7 | 70,734 |
| 8 | North Port city | Florida | 6.6 | 85,099 |
| 9 | Cape Coral city | Florida | 6.4 | 216,992 |
| 10 | Port St. Lucie city | Florida | 6.4 | 231,790 |
| 11 | Conroe city | Texas | 6.3 | 101,405 |
| 12 | Maricopa city | Arizona | 6.2 | 66,290 |
| 13 | New Braunfels city | Texas | 5.7 | 104,707 |
| 14 | Lehi city | Utah | 5.6 | 84,373 |
| 15 | Medford city | Massachusetts | 5.2 | 65,399 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Vintage 2022 Population Estimates, release date: May 2023
Other Highlights from the Report
Several noteworthy highlights emerge from the population data:
Three cities join the list of cities with populations of 50,000 or more in 2022: Wake Forest, North Carolina (51,113); Rockwall, Texas (51,014); and North Port, Florida (50,503). These cities reflect the ongoing population growth and urbanization trends across different regions of the United States.
Housing Unit Growth: Meeting the Demands
As cities and towns experience population growth, the demand for housing units also increases. The Census Bureau's data reveals that many of the fastest-growing cities are also seeing a surge in housing unit construction. Developers and builders are working to meet the housing demands of these expanding communities.
Factors Driving Population Growth
Several factors contribute to the population growth observed in these fastest-growing cities. Job opportunities, affordable housing markets, favorable climate, and quality of life are among the key drivers attracting individuals and families to these areas. Texas, in particular, benefits from its robust economy, business-friendly environment, and affordable cost of living.
Implications for Infrastructure and Services
As cities experience rapid population growth, local governments and authorities face the challenge of ensuring adequate infrastructure and services to meet the needs of the expanding population. This includes investing in transportation systems, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services to support the growing communities.
Source:
- https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/subcounty-metro-micro-estimates.html
