Trending Now - US Metro Growth Declines Sharply, Especially Near Southern Border
WHO:
Kenneth Johnson, senior demographer at the University of New Hampshire, stated, "With so little natural increase, migration determines whether an area grows or declines, particularly in the big metro cores that have continuous domestic out-migration and are dependent on immigration."
Helen You, interim director of the Texas Demographic Center, noted, "That pattern suggests a sharper rise-and-fall effect in border regions, where international migration plays a more central role in year-to-year population change."
Lloyd Potter, state demographer of Texas, mentioned, "A lot of urban areas grew rapidly after the pandemic due to international immigration and the flow of refugees at the U.S-Mexico border."
Lloyd Potter, state demographer of Texas
Vince Yokom, executive director of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership
Trey Duhon, Waller County Judge
U.S. Census Bureau
Kenneth Johnson, senior demographer at the University of New Hampshire
Helen You, interim director of the Texas Demographic Center
President Donald Trump
WHAT:
The Houston metropolitan region's population grew by 126,720 people between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region added 123,557 new residents during the same period.
Harris County added 48,695 residents from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, the largest amount of new people among U.S. counties.
Collin County grew by nearly 43,000 people in the same timeframe, marking the second-largest amount of new residents among U.S. counties.
Texas' population grew by 391,243 or 1.2% between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
Waller County's population grew by 5.7%, adding over 13,000 residents from 2020 to 2025, increasing from 56,769 to 69,858.
Dallas County experienced a numeric decline of 2,616 residents between 2024 and 2025.
The average growth rate for U.S. metro areas fell from 1.1% in 2024 to 0.6% in 2025.
Laredo, Texas, saw its growth rate drop from 3.2% in 2024 to 0.2% in 2025.
Yuma, Arizona, experienced a decline from 3.3% to 1.4%.
El Centro, California, fell from 1.2% to -0.7%.
Pinellas County, Florida, lost almost 12,000 residents.
Taylor County, Florida, had a growth rate decline of -2.2%.
The New York metro area ranked No. 13 in growth in 2025, down from the most people gained in 2024.
Ocala, Florida, led the nation in growth rate at 3.4%.
Nine out of 10 U.S. counties had lower levels of immigration in 2025 compared to 2024.
WHERE:
The county that is home to Asheville, North Carolina, experienced a loss of more than 2,000 residents after Hurricane Helene.
Waller County, Texas, located northeast of Houston.
Dallas County, Texas.
U.S.-Mexico border regions, specifically Laredo, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; El Centro, California.
Gulf Coast counties in Florida, including Pinellas County and Taylor County.
New York metro area.
Ocala, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Lakeland, Florida; Punta Gorda, Florida.
Asheville, North Carolina.
WHEN:
The population estimates cover one year through July 2025.
The figures cover one year through July 2025.
The hurricanes Helene and Milton occurred in the fall of 2024.
WHY:
The Census Bureau attributed the slowdown in population growth to a decline in international migration and the impact of hurricanes that prompted residents to leave certain areas.
A 45% decline in international residents is hindering growth in Texas' urban areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a desire for more space and less density, driving migration to suburban areas.
The slowdown in population growth was attributed to declining immigration and hurricanes that prompted people to leave parts of the Gulf Coast.
The aging population and declining birth rates in the U.S. have made immigration an important source of growth in many communities.
HOW:
The rapid growth of far-flung exurbs is attributed to rising housing costs and remote work allowing people to live farther from cities.
Waller County's growth is attributed to availability of land for home and infrastructure development and the addition of over 9,000 jobs.
The Census Bureau's estimates reflect the initial months of President Trump's second term and the beginning of his administration's immigration crackdown.
The rapid growth of far-flung exurbs is attributed to rising housing costs and remote work allowing people to live farther from cities.
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 01:22 UTC)
The Houston metropolitan region saw a significant population increase of 126,720 people between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area added 123,557 new residents during the same period. Harris County led the nation with 48,695 new residents, and Collin County followed closely with nearly 43,000 new arrivals. Experts attribute these trends to a combination of international immigration, the effects of the pandemic, and the rising costs of housing, which have pushed people to seek homes in more distant exurbs.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 17:24 UTC)
Texas' population grew by 391,243, or 1.2%, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, while Waller County saw a significant increase of 5.7%, adding over 13,000 residents to reach a total of 69,858. In contrast, Dallas County experienced a decline of 2,616 residents during the same period, largely due to a 45% drop in international residents and a shift in preference for more space following the COVID-19 pandemic. Waller County's growth can be attributed to the availability of land for development and the creation of over 9,000 new jobs.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 13:22 UTC)
The U.S. Census Bureau has reported a significant decline in the average growth rate for U.S. metro areas, dropping from 1.1% in 2024 to 0.6% in 2025, with notable decreases in places like Laredo, Texas, and Yuma, Arizona. This slowdown is largely attributed to declining immigration and the impact of hurricanes that drove residents away from parts of the Gulf Coast, while Ocala, Florida, emerged as the fastest-growing area with a rate of 3.4%. As President Trump’s second term unfolds, these estimates reflect the challenges posed by an aging population and the ongoing immigration crackdown, which have reshaped growth patterns across the country.