Texas, August 14, 2025
News Summary
Texas is experiencing remarkable population growth primarily driven by the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. As employees move away from expensive urban centers to more affordable areas, cities like Princeton and Fulshear have led the growth with significant increases. The trend appears to continue into 2025, as families seek better living conditions and job opportunities. While the Sun Belt remains appealing, rising housing costs could alter migration patterns in the future.
Texas is witnessing significant population growth, largely fueled by shifts in work arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As many workers transitioned to remote employment, a substantial number left pricier urban centers to settle in more affordable areas, particularly within the Sun Belt states. This trend continued through 2025, as confirmed by recent Census data
The Census Bureau reported that between July 2023 and July 2024, the //fastest-growing cities// in the U.S. with populations exceeding 20,000 included Princeton, TX, which saw a remarkable 30.6% increase, bringing its population to over 37,000 residents. Close behind was Fulshear, TX with a 26% growth rate, and Leesburg, FL at 18.5%.
Additional Texas cities highlighted in the data include Celina, with an 18.2% increase, and Anna, which grew by 14.6%. These numbers reflect a broader trend of migration from expensive metropolitan areas toward more cost-effective regions prefaced by the pandemic.
Furthermore, Census Bureau data from March and May of 2025 captured population growth in metropolitan areas across the country. The top five metropolitan areas included Ocala, FL, with 4% growth, and Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL, which saw a 3.8% increase. Other notable areas include Myrtle Beach, SC and Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL.
Critical factors in these migration trends include strong job markets, affordable real estate, the absence of state income tax in many Sun Belt areas, and a generally favorable climate. Given the immediate public health crisis driving telecommuting, many families and individuals sought environments that offered a lower cost of living, which has now become a significant part of why Texas and Florida particularly remained attractive.
Despite the ongoing population influx in southern states, trends indicate that household mobility across the United States has drastically decreased since the 1980s, primarily due to rising housing costs which inhibit many from relocating. Additionally, while the Sun Belt continues to report population growth, high real estate prices in major cities may eventually lead to corrections in the housing market.
Interestingly, the Northeast states are now experiencing a slight uptick in incoming residents compared to previous years, suggesting an evolving migration pattern. Factors such as climate change could result in further shifts, leading people to move from warmer southern states back to cooler regions in the Midwest and Northeast.
The findings emphasize that while the Sun Belt continues to grow, changing economic and environmental conditions may influence future population movements and the structure of the housing market, warranting further observation.
FAQ
- What areas saw the most significant population growth during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Sun Belt states, particularly Texas and Florida, experienced the most notable population increases as individuals migrated from more expensive coastal cities.
- How did work-from-home policies impact migration patterns?
The shift to remote work allowed employees to leave high-cost urban environments for affordable living in other states, fueling population growth in areas like Texas and Florida.
- What factors are driving the population growth in Texas and Florida?
Key drivers include strong job markets, affordable real estate, no state income tax in many Sun Belt regions, and a generally pleasant climate.
- Are there signs of a potential shift in migration trends moving forward?
Yes, while southern states continue to see growth, rising living costs may reverse some migration trends, and climate change could lead more individuals to cooler locales.
- What does the data reveal about household mobility in the U.S.?
Overall household mobility has significantly decreased since the 1980s, often making it difficult for people to relocate due to the rising costs of housing.
Population Growth Statistics (July 2023 – July 2024)
| Rank | City/Area | Growth Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton, TX | 30.6% | 37,000+ |
| 2 | Fulshear, TX | 26% | 54,629 |
| 3 | Leesburg, FL | 18.5% | 37,815 |
| 4 | Celina, TX | 18.2% | 51,661 |
| 5 | Anna, TX | 14.6% | 32,000 |
| 6 | Ocala, FL (Metro) | 4% | 428,905 |
| 7 | Panama City, FL (Metro) | 3.8% | 226,221 |
| 8 | Myrtle Beach, SC (Metro) | 3.8% | 413,391 |
| 9 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (Metro) | 3.5% | 852,878 |
| 10 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT (Metro) | 3% | 760,531 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Princeton, Texas Reports 30.6% Population Growth Amid Rising Demand for Affordable Housing
Princeton, Texas Leads Population Growth Among U.S. Cities
Myrtle Beach Becomes Most Searched Beach in the U.S.
Miami and Other Southern Cities Set for Real Estate Growth
Charleston’s Tourism Industry Sees Significant Growth
South Carolina Surpasses Texas as Fastest-Growing State
South Carolina Tourism Sector Sees Significant Growth
South Carolina Emerges as Fastest-Growing State
South Carolina Named Fastest-Growing State in the U.S.
South Carolina Named Fastest-Growing State in the U.S.
Additional Resources
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Belt
- New Geography: More Rust Belt to Sun Belt Migration
- Business Insider: Moving North – Midwestern Snowbelt Becoming New Sunbelt
- GlobeSt: Migration and Affordability Set to Revive Sunbelt Multifamily in 2025
- The Mortgage Point: Big States Gaining Residents at a Slower Rate
- Wikipedia: Migration in the United States
- Google Search: Sun Belt Migration
- Google Scholar: Sun Belt
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Migration Trends
- Google News: Sun Belt Population Growth
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
