In 2023, Texas has continued to maintain its position as the leader in the fastest-growing cities in the US. The fastest-growing cities share common factors such as a rising population, ongoing urban development plans, and job opportunities.
The urban population in the US rose to 276,908,634 in 2022, a 0.63% increase from 2021. This reflects a growing trend of people moving from rural areas to the fastest-growing cities in the US.
🪜 Rapid Rise of US Cities
- Phoenix, Arizona is the fastest growing city in the United States, with an annual population growth rate of 0.82%.
- Fort Worth witnessed the largest population increase compared to any other city in 2022, with 19,170 new residents.
- Texas is home to some of the populous cities in US including Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.
10 Fastest-Growing Cities in the United States
This list provides insights into the population, unemployment rate, median listing price, and poverty rate of the 10 fastest-growing cities in America.
City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Median House Value | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Phoenix, AZ | 1,644,409 | 5.4% | $417,088 | 15.36% |
2. Austin, TX | 963,121 | 4.5% | $543,380 | 12.52% |
3. San Antonio, CA | 1,479,493 | 5.9% | $259,675 | 17.64% |
4. Charlotte, NC | 885,663 | 4.9% | $104,228 | 11.64% |
5. Seattle, WA | 725,487 | 4.3% | $826,592 | 10.03% |
6. San Diego, CA | 1,374,076 | 6.2% | $961,629 | 11.59% |
7. Fort Worth, TX | 961,885 | 5.5% | $305,461 | 13.38% |
8. Denver, CO | 699,288 | 4.6% | $490,000 | 11.6% |
9. Jacksonville, NJ | 962,970 | 5.3% | $295,018 | 14.87% |
10. Mesa, AZ | 516,783 | 4.8% | $431,563 | 12.13% |
Here are the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the USA. Let’s find out why these booming cities have become magnets for individuals and families.
1. Phoenix, Arizona
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.82%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 4%⬆️ |
🌵 Famous For | Desert Botanical Garden |
Phoenix’s housing market was valued at $903 billion in June 2023, marking a 2.1% decrease from 2022. This decline reflects Phoenix’s affordable housing which has attracted homebuyers.
With a population of 1.64 million, Phoenix ranks as the fifth most populous city in the US. A strong local economy, affordable housing, and rising population make it the fastest-growing US city.
2. Austin, Texas
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.11%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 4.5%⬆️ |
🏛️ Famous For | Texas State Capitol Building |
Austin’s population has grown by 0.33% since the last census in 2020. By 2030, it is estimated to have a population of 3.2 million. The rise in population can be attributed to a booming economy, quality education, and inexpensive real estate.
Several tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Tesla have a presence in Austin. This has attracted a major workforce, making it the fastest-growing city in the USA.
3. San Antonio, Texas
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.95%⬆️ |
🟢 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 8%⬇️ |
🎋 Famous For | Japanese Tea Garden |
San Antonio’s FY 2023 plan reflects its ongoing commitment to urban development. Initiatives such as affordable housing development, fair housing programs, and public service programs have been undertaken to boost San Antonio’s growth.
San Antonio’s rapid population growth can be linked to job opportunities, low cost of living, and high-rated healthcare. This makes it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
4. Charlotte, North Carolina
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.34%⬆️ |
🟢 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 2%⬇️ |
🏎️ Famous For | NASCAR Hall of Fame |
Charlotte is a major financial hub and home to several national and international banks. Its strong financial sector significantly contributes to its population growth, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
Charlotte also offers a high quality of life with a low cost of living. The housing costs in the city are 11% less than the national average. This makes it an attractive destination for homebuyers.
5. Seattle, Washington
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.58%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 50%⬆️ |
🛍️ Famous For | Amazon HQ |
Seattle has earned the nickname “Silicon Valley North” due to its booming tech industry. Global tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft have their headquarters in Seattle.
Seattle attracts a major workforce for its robust job market and funding opportunities for budding start-ups. Despite Seattle’s high cost of living, Seattle continues to rise in population making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the US.
6. San Diego, California
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.27%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 44%⬆️ |
⛲ Famous For | Balboa Park |
San Diego boasts a diverse job market with a wide range of industries from technology, and biotech, to defense. Between August 2023 and September 2023, the private education and health sector saw a substantial increase of 9,500 jobs.
San Diego has attracted a major workforce, increasing its population to 1,374,076. This demographic growth positions San Diego among the most populous cities in the US.
7. Fort Worth, Texas
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 1.4%⬆️ |
🟢 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 5%⬇️ |
🖼️ Famous For | Museum of Science & History |
Fort Worth witnessed the largest population increase compared to any other city in 2022, with 19,170 new residents. Since August 2022, it has seen an increase of 42,100 jobs.
Fort Worth’s location in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metro makes it a hub for industries and businesses. Its rise in population can be attributed to the low cost of living and job opportunities, making it one of the fastest-growing US cities.
8. Denver, Colorado
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.86%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 11%⬆️ |
📖 Famous For | Denver Public Library |
Denver’s metro has seen significant labor force growth, ranking it 7th among the largest US metros since the pandemic. Its strong economy offers job opportunities in the technology, healthcare, and aerospace sectors.
Denver’s esteemed educational institutes attract researchers and students alike. The legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado has also contributed to its appeal.
9. Jacksonville, Florida
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.44%⬆️ |
🟢 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 6%⬇️ |
🦍 Famous For | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens |
The median listing price in Jacksonville is $295,018, which is 6% lower than the national average. A low cost of living combined with affordable housing has made it a desirable place to live in.
Jacksonville’s workforce grew by 4.0% in May 2023, with 33,545 new individuals. This reflects the growing employment opportunities in the River City. The steady rise in population makes it one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA.
10. Mesa, Arizona
🧑🤝🧑 Annual Population Growth Rate | 0.17%⬆️ |
🔴 Cost of Living Compared to the National Average | 3%⬆️ |
🎈 Famous For | Hot Air Expeditions |
Since 2022, Mesa’s workforce has grown by 3.9%, surpassing over 2.5 million workers. Banner Health, the Boeing Company, and Dexcom are some of the major employers in Mesa.
Mesa’s strong job market, esteemed educational institutions, and affordable housing make it one of the fastest-growing cities in USA.
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The Bottom Line
Population growth and economic development are key factors that contribute to the growth and development of a city. The fastest-growing US cities are characterized by affordable housing, job opportunities, and quality living conditions.
However, the rapid growth of cities can come at a cost. Its negative effects may include expensive housing, traffic congestion, crime rates, and strained infrastructure.
In order to sustain continued growth, urban planners and policymakers must address and act on the issues in these cities.
Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as population growth and job opportunities. We have also accounted for the cost of living, median listing price, unemployment rate, and poverty rate in these cities.
To compile this information, we have drawn upon data from World Population Review, PayScale, and Zillow.
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