(The Center Square) – Texas’ major metropolitan areas experienced massive growth in the last few years as one-third of Texas counties reported declines, according to data published by the Texas Demographics Center.
The center published its latest population estimates evaluating data from July 1, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024, and from April 2020 to July 2023, analyzing county population data.
The latest Census data showing Texas leading the U.S. in population growth assessed data from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, The Center Square reported.
Texas’ population grew by 4.7% from April 2020 to July 2023, according to Census data evaluated by the center, which created several maps to illustrate the percent change of county populations during this time-period.
One shows that the majority of Texas’ population growth, more than 95%, occurred in 26 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Areas surrounding central counties reported the fastest growth rate, with the most concentrated in a triangle formed by the four largest MSAs: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA reported the greatest percentage of growth from 2020-2023 of 34%, followed by Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands’ 25%, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos’ 15% and San Antonio-New Braunfels’ 10%.
The majority of Texas’ 10 largest cities are located in these MSAs: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano and Lubbock, according to the data.
While population growth expanded in large metropolitan areas, more than one-third of Texas counties experienced a population loss over the same time-period.
The center notes that the lowest number of senior residents are residing in urban central counties, the Permian Basin and in border counties. A higher percentage of residents ages 65 and older are living in rural and what are known as “retirement counties,” it says.
It also notes that Hispanics make up a larger portion of younger age groups; non-Hispanic whites represent a greater number of those in older age groups.
The center’s Texas Population Estimates and Projections Program is overseen by the state demographer, who conducts surveys to create population estimates for the state in compliance with Texas Government Code. The estimates it publishes “are crucial for a wide range of users, including state agencies, policymakers, local governments, and private enterprises, to effectively plan and secure the resources and funding meet the needs of Texans,” it says.
It collects information from Texas counties, cities, and educational institutions through five annual surveys conducted from October to February.
As of July 1, 2024, Texas had a population of 31,290,831, up from 30,727,890 as of July 1, 2023, and 29,149,458 as of July 1, 2022, according to the most recent Census data.
If Texas’ population growth continues along the same trajectory, it’s expected to gain double the number of seats in Congress after the 2030 Census than it did after the 2020 Census when it gained two seats.
