The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates on Thursday, revealing that small cities in major Texas metro areas were the fastest-growing municipalities in the country from mid-2024 to mid-2025. Celina, Princeton, Melissa, and Anna—all part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex—ranked among the top five fastest-growing cities with populations of 20,000 or more, with growth rates ranging from 15% to 25%. Fulshear, near Houston, was the second-fastest growing city. Notably, Celina, with just 64,000 residents, added 12,700 people—more than larger cities like Seattle and Houston.
The data reflects broader national trends, including a slowdown in population growth linked to an immigration crackdown during the second Trump administration. Small to medium-sized Southern cities benefited from a combination of job opportunities and affordability, while large cities and rural areas saw slower growth. Nine of the 10 largest numeric population gainers were in the South, including Charlotte, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Celina. Fort Worth surpassed Jacksonville to become the 10th most populous U.S. city, placing four Texas cities in the top 10. Austin also surpassed 1 million residents for the first time, moving past San Jose to rank 12th.
Census Bureau statistician Matt Erickson noted that small to medium-sized cities struck a balance between large urban centers, which were hit hardest by immigration declines, and struggling small towns. The South's economic and housing affordability contributed to its dominance in population gains, with Seattle as the only non-Southern city in the top 10 for numeric growth.