Nation's fastest-growing cities are in North Texas. Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna top list, data shows

Small cities in big Texas metro areas were the fastest-growing municipalities in the United States last year, as smaller communities in the South outpaced the rest of the nation, which has experienced a population slowdown since the start of the immigration crackdown last year, according to figures released Thursday.

Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna – all part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex – were the Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations of 20,000 residents or more from mid-2024 to mid-2025, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fulshear, in metro Houston, was the second-fastest growing U.S. city. The five Texas cities' year-over-year growth rates ranged from almost 15% to almost 25%.

Inside the fastest‑growing cities in America  

In pure numbers, Celina, with only 64,000 people, grew by more residents – 12,700 – than Seattle and Houston, cities that are 12 times and 37 times larger, respectively.

Along almost every block in Celina, construction is visible  – new homes rising, lots being cleared, and entire neighborhoods taking shape.

"So much rapid growth," said Jason Walker, a builder with Highland Homes. "People love that Celina still has a small‑town feel."

A new development called Ramble opened to realtors this week, showcasing homes still under construction. Walker said Highland Homes alone expects to finish 30–35 homes there this year.

That's only a sliver of what's happening citywide. New Census data confirms Celina is the fastest‑growing city in the nation with a population over 20,000. The city has surged from 6,000 residents in 2010 to more than 64,000 in 2025.

"People want land, space, great schools, restaurants, sports, and that hometown feel," said Georgina Hennen, a Keller Williams North Country agent.

But rapid growth brings infrastructure strain.

"People driving around will say, 'No, we're not ready – the traffic is terrible,'" Hennen said. "But the city is growing as fast as it can."

A city spokesperson said leaders are encouraged by the growth but focused on managing it responsibly by investing in infrastructure, public safety, parks, and core services.

"These are growing pains," Hennen said. "In 20 years, we'll be as big as or bigger than Frisco or Plano  – Celina has the land. It feels slow until suddenly it's here."

In Anna, officials said the growth can be attributed to the momentum behind continued investment across the city. Plans have been approved for a new downtown dining and entertainment district that will include restaurants and gathering spaces. Officials also said improved roads have helped. 

"Anna is rising with purpose," Mayor Pete Cain said in a statement. "This recognition reflects the intentional growth, strong partnerships and long-term vision that are shaping our city. We are focused on delivering results and building a future that serves the neighbors who call Anna home."  

Small- to medium-sized cities hit a sweet spot between the largest U.S. cities, which were most affected by the loss of immigrants stemming from the crackdown launched last year during the second Trump administration, and anemic growth in small towns, according to Matt Erickson, a Census Bureau statistician.

Texas cities dominate

Nine out of 10 of the largest population gainers, measured in absolute numbers, were cities in the South because of a healthy job market and their comparative affordability. The biggest numeric gainers were Charlotte, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Celina.

Fort Worth leaped over Jacksonville last year as the 10th most populous U.S. city, putting four Texas cities in the nation's top 10 most populous, with the other cities being Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Austin skipped over San Jose for the 12th most populous spot, as Texas' capital city surpassed 1 million residents for the first time. It is now one of a dozen U.S. cities with 1 million residents or more.

Seattle makes a comeback

Seattle was the only non-Southern city to crack the top 10 in numeric population gains last year, at the No. 5 spot.

Like many large cities, particularly on the coasts, Seattle lost population during the height of the pandemic a half-decade ago. But recent construction of new housing has helped ease the city's affordability, making it more attractive for residents to stay in the core city rather than move to farther out suburbs in the metro area, according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

The growth was driven by immigrants, particularly from China and India. International migration accounted for almost three-quarters of the area's population gains, according to county-level population estimates released in March.

Tight housing market and natural disasters drive population losses

The two cities with the greatest rates of population loss last year — Twentynine Palms, California, by Joshua Tree National Park and Key West at the southern tip of Florida — were in places with tight housing markets. Their losses ranged from -2.4% to -2.9%.

In Twentynine Palms, a large chunk of the housing stock has been converted into short-term rentals for tourists heading to the national park. Just under 40% of its housing is occupied by its owners, compared with the national average of 65%, according to Census Bureau figures.

Hemmed in on all sides by water, the limited housing stock in Key West, as well as some of the highest home insurance rates in the U.S., have driven up housing costs for the Conch Republic. The median price for a home in Key West was $1.3 million at the start of this year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Other cities that had some of the biggest rates of population loss last year were hit by natural disasters.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida's Gulf Coast within weeks of each other in late 2024. Remnants of Helene blew through western North Carolina, leaving behind damaging tornadoes and flooding. Among the cities with the greatest rates of loss were Asheville, North Carolina, and several cities on Florida's Gulf Coast, including Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Largo and Clearwater.