Why North Texas is America’s top growth destination
Writer: Andrea Teran
January 2025 — North Texas is undergoing a population boom, with more than half a million new residents since 2020, according to the Texas Demographic Center (TDC). This 7.1% growth rate highlights the region’s growing role as a national hub for economic opportunity, cultural diversity, and affordable living.
While Dallas County saw modest gains — adding over 16,000 residents between 2020 and 2024 — the real population explosion has occurred in suburban counties. Kaufman County, east of Dallas, grew by 26.7%, adding nearly 39,000 new residents, while Rockwall County experienced a 25% increase. Smaller cities, such as Denton, Mansfield, and McKinney, have also emerged as leaders in population growth according to a 2024 population study by SmartAsset. Denton, for instance, posted a 5.32% growth rate from 2022 to 2023, while Mansfield followed with 4.16%. These cities are capitalizing on their proximity to urban centers while offering more affordable housing and family-friendly environments.
Texas has consistently ranked as a top destination for domestic migration, adding over 85,000 residents from other states between 2023 and 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many newcomers are drawn from states like California and New York, seeking Texas’ lower cost of living and favorable business environment. The state of Texas gained 319,569 new residents from abroad during the same period.
U-Haul migration data for 2024 highlights Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington as the No. 1 U-Haul growth metro, reflecting its status as a top destination for one-way moves. Charlotte, Phoenix, Lakeland, and Austin rounded out the top five U.S. growth metros, based on net gains of U-Haul customers moving into these areas. This marks the first time that metro rankings have been included in U-Haul’s annual growth report. “We are seeing unprecedented growth in the Dallas metro area, both within the city and also suburbs like McKinney, Plano and Addison,” said Sean Fullerton, president of U-Haul Company of South Central Dallas.
While the surge in population is transforming the region’s economy, it also places significant strain on infrastructure. In smaller communities, traffic congestion and road construction have become pressing issues. “One of the biggest challenges is the projected regional population growth over the next few decades. That presents challenges related to congestion, traffic, air quality and other issues,” Mayor Bruce Arfsten of Addison told Invest:. “Discussions around public transit and high-speed rail that are happening today will be ongoing as we look for creative and innovative ways to move people throughout the region.”
The influx of new residents has also driven a significant housing growth across North Texas, as reflected in 2023 data from the TDC. At the county level, Collin County was the leader in housing development for North Texas, adding more than 16,000 new housing units in 2023 and a total of 63,620 units from 2020 to 2023. This growth reflects the county’s rapid population increase and dynamic housing market.
Regarding cities, Dallas ranked third among Texas cities for authorized residential construction in 2023, with 8,974 new units, of which 80% were multi-family housing. Suburban cities like McKinney, Frisco, and Denton also experienced robust development. McKinney added 5,017 units, Frisco authorized 3,399, and Denton recorded 3,285 residential units. These suburban hubs are balancing single-family and multi-family projects to meet growing demand, offering affordable and spacious alternatives for new residents compared to Dallas’ high-density urban developments.
“We are working toward creating an atmosphere where people can live, work, eat, and play in the Entertainment District,” Mayor Jim Ross of Arlington told Invest:. “We are developing the area to ensure we have the necessary density in terms of multifamily and single-family homes, office space, retail, and dining establishments. This supports consistent growth, and it is exciting to see the district evolve beyond just being a destination.”
For more information, please visit:
https://demographics.texas.gov/
