Quick Answer: The fastest-growing cities in Texas in 2024 are San Antonio, Fort Worth, Houston, Georgetown, Celina, Fulshear, and Denton.
The Texas real estate market has cooled in average home sales price compared to its peak in 2022, but the population growth continues heating up. Small and large cities across the Lonestar State are exploding with new residents. The U.S. Census Bureauhas identified multiple cities and counties in Texas where the growth rate is far outpacing the national average. Let's take a closer look at the fastest-growing cities in Texas in 2024 and how this explosion in growth continues impacting the Texas real estate market.
Major Factors Contributing to the State of Today’s Texas Market
Texas ranks third in the country for the highest growth rate, which is currently at 1.8% compared to the last U.S. Census. Plus, the state still ranks second in the country for the highest population, coming in at over 30 million.
Many cities in Texas are seeing a major increase in growth. Texas is home to eight of the fastest-growing 15 cities in the United States with a population of at least 20,000, with Celina, Fulshear, Princeton, and Anna at the top four spots. Meanwhile, for cities with 50,000 or more, Texas cities occupied seven of the top 15 spots for fastest growth.
The U.S. Census also shows Texas also has five of the top 10 counties experiencing the highest level of net migration, meaning more people are moving into these counties from other locations, versus people moving out. With such big population increases across the state, it's likely keeping home values strong and median home prices slightly steadier compared to other cities across the country.
The median sales price of a home in Texas right now is $354,800, which is down about 1% compared to last year, according to Redfin data. This is significantly lower than the peak in May of 2022, which was $372,100.
These factors show the population explosion in Texas may help keep home prices and sales from decreasing too much right now, compared to trends seen in other cities in the U.S.
Which Texas Cities Are Growing the Most?
The U.S. Census Bureau recently updated its list of the cities that grew the most over the past year, and seven Texas cities were among those showing the largest increases nationally for cities with a population over 50,000.
1. San Antonio
San Antonio topped the nation in growth, adding almost 22,000 people over the past year. San Antonio is home to the Alamo and the famed River Walk, man-made canals that run for miles just below ground level with a walkway for strolling the restaurants and shops. It’s also home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, one of the largest rodeos in the country. Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Kelly Air Force Base, and other military facilities are nearby.
2. Fort Worth
Fort Worth came in at #2 nationally, adding over 21,000 new residents in 2023. The fourth largest city in Texas and the 11th largest city in the country, Fort Worth is a modern city that still pays homage to its roots as the center of the Texas Longhorn cattle trade. It boasts a robust arts community, including multiple museums and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Fort Worth is home to Texas Christian University, Texas A&M Law School, and Texas Wesleyan.
3. Houston
Houston, the country's fourth-most populous city, added more than 11,000 residents in 2023. Houston has a vibrant cultural scene, which includes the world-class Houston Museum District and the Space Center Houston. It also has a diverse food scene, a strong energy industry, and major sports teams such as the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and Houston Texans.
4. Georgetown
Georgetown added more than 9,200 residents and came in at #8 nationally. Located 25 miles north of Austin, Georgetown is known as the red poppy capital of Texas. You will find wildflowers growing all over the place. The annual Red Poppy Festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors in April. It is also home to Southwestern University and Blue Hole Park, which sports a lagoon connected to the San Gabriel River.
5. Celina
Celina saw major growth too, leading the charge as the highest growth in cities with a population over 20,000. It grew a substantial 26.6% in 2023, adding over 9,100 residents in 2023. Celina offers a small-town lifestyle with multiple community events throughout the year and is located halfway between Dallas and the Oklahoma border.
6. Fulshear
Fulshear, located about 35 miles west of Houston, added over 8,600 residents in 2023, bringing its population to over 42,000. Fulshear also offers small-town living, but it's full of amenities and not too far from a major city. It also has a mix of ranch and farms, giving it a more relaxed country landscape and feel.
7. Denton
Denton added another 7,914 residents to its population, which now exceeds 158,000, and ranks #13 on the list nationally for growth. Also in the DFW metro, Denton is known as “Little Austin” due to its music festivals, including performances at the North Texas State Fair, Arts and Jazz Festival, and the Thin Line Fest, which attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually. It’s also home to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University.
Most Populous Cities in Texas
Three Texas cities also made the Census Bureau’s list of the top 10 most populous cities as well, creating significant opportunities for real estate. The cities are:
Houston: Ranked 4th nationally with a population of 2.31 million
San Antonio: Ranked 7th nationally with a population of 1.5 million
Dallas: Ranked 9th nationally with a population of 1.3 million
It’s a Good Time to Become a Texas Real Estate Agent
If you’ve been considering a career change, it’s a fantastic time to get into real estate. Education is affordable and readily available, and demand continues for high-quality real estate agents.
Ready to explore a new career in Texas? Register to start your Texas pre-licensure courses today!
Updated 9/16/24