Houston is now the fastest growing city in the U.S., outpacing other Sunbelt cities like Phoenix and Atlanta. While international migration plays a key role, Houston notably avoids the domestic out-migration seen in cities such as Chicago and Miami. The demographics of new residents range from young professionals to families seeking affordable housing, highlighting complex migration patterns.
It’s no surprise that a Sunbelt city is the fastest growing, but the growth of Texas cities—Houston and Dallas in particular—has far outpaced even other Sunbelt cities like Phoenix and Atlanta.
Houston is the Fastest Growing City
Under the surface, though, the story is more complex—and more interesting.
For one, it hasn’t been a straight path. Houston’s growth decelerated substantially between 2016 and 2021. It has only recently re-accelerated in the post-pandemic era, thanks to international migration.
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