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Fort Worth Surpasses Austin to Become Fourth-Largest City in Texas

The skyline of Fort Worth, Texas, representing its rapid growth and urban development.

News Summary

Fort Worth has officially surpassed Austin, becoming Texas’s fourth-largest city with a population of over 1 million residents. The latest U.S. Census Bureau data shows Fort Worth’s growth of 2.4% this past year, emphasizing its emerging status as the 11th most populous city in the U.S. Despite Austin’s challenges with affordability, Fort Worth continues to expand, with city officials focused on strategic planning to address infrastructure needs and maintain quality of life for its residents.

Fort Worth

As of July 2024, Fort Worth has officially surpassed Austin to become the fourth-largest city in Texas, reaching a population exceeding 1 million residents. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Fort Worth’s population is estimated at 1,008,106, while Austin’s population stands at 993,588, an increase of just 4,005 residents (0.4%) since last year.

During the same period, Fort Worth experienced a substantial population growth of over 23,000 residents, equating to a rise of 2.4%. This surge in growth highlights Fort Worth’s emerging status, as it now ranks as the 11th most populous city in the nation, with Austin slipping to 13th place. In Texas, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas retain their positions as the top three largest cities, with Houston also acknowledged as the fourth largest city in the U.S.

Population Trends in Texas Cities

The recently released population data reflects comparisons to estimates from July 2023. Texas cities have dominated national rankings for the fastest-growing cities in 2024, with significant increases both in terms of percentage and total numbers. Texas is home to nearly half of the country’s 15 fastest-growing cities, notably including Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin within the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Specifically, Fort Worth holds the fifth position among cities with the highest growth rates in the nation.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite Fort Worth’s remarkable growth, Austin has faced challenges in retaining and attracting new residents due to rising affordability issues. While Austin’s overall population has grown, much of this increase has been observed in surrounding suburban areas, such as Jarrell, Marble Falls, and Dripping Springs, which recorded astonishing growth rates of 28.8%, 24%, and 16.9%, respectively. In contrast, Fort Worth saw a 9.7% total population increase since 2020 and a 3.1% growth in the past year.

As Fort Worth celebrates this milestone of surpassing a million residents, city officials acknowledge the challenges that come with rapid growth, particularly regarding infrastructure and public services. Jay Chapa, Fort Worth’s City Manager, emphasized that managing public services effectively will be critical in accommodating this population increase. In this context, Mayor Mattie Parker expressed enthusiasm about the city’s growth and highlighted the necessity for strategic planning and investments to manage future development.

Comparative Growth with Jacksonville

The population gap between Fort Worth and Jacksonville, Florida, which is the next largest city, currently stands at fewer than 2,000 residents. As Fort Worth moves forward with its growth, the city council and management will focus on addressing the infrastructure needs that come with a burgeoning population, reinforcing the commitment to enhance the quality of life for all residents.

In summary, Fort Worth’s rise as Texas’ fourth-largest city reflects a broader trend of significant population shifts within the region, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth and strategic planning to address the challenges that accompany such rapid changes.