7 Fastest-growing Cities in the U.S.: San Antonio, Phoenix, and More

San Antonio isn’t just home to the Alamo; it’s the No. 1 city for population growth in the U.S. between 2022 and 2023. According to the Census Bureau, more than 21,000 people moved here in just one year.

The metro area offers a lower cost of living, a young median age, and a robust job market, especially in tech and defense. Developers have responded with new housing and infrastructure to keep up.

This fast-growing metro area in the Southwest added tens of thousands of residents in the past year. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler combines sprawling suburbs with outdoor adventure, attracting people looking for both opportunity and sunshine.

Its proximity to California and relatively affordable housing have made it one of the most fastest growing cities in the country.

Dallas-Fort Worth is booming, but Fort Worth is stealing the spotlight with its own strong growth rate. It welcomed over 20,000 new people last year.

Like San Antonio, it draws transplants with its jobs, schools, and culture. The influx of new residents is also helping fuel population growth in some surrounding towns and villages.

This bi-state metro area is growing rapidly thanks to a strong banking sector, lots of green space, and a thriving food scene.

With an average median age in the 30s and plenty of outdoor recreation, Charlotte and its neighbors have become magnets for younger professionals and families. It's a textbook example of how cities and towns in the South are attracting talent.

The Florida metro area that includes Orlando is seeing serious development. Known for its tourism economy, it’s now drawing residents seeking permanent jobs and affordable suburbs.

With its warm climate and booming housing market, this region remains one of the fastest-growing places in the nation.

Out west, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area continues to expand. Despite a reputation for high costs, the region benefits from tech giants, high wages, and strong public services. Its population growth is slower than in the South — but steady, making it a standout in the West.

The Gulf Coast’s warm weather and waterfronts have made St. Petersburg-Clearwater a destination not just for retirees, but for remote workers and young families.

It’s part of a larger Florida trend: The state added nearly 365,000 people in one year, the second-highest total population gain in the country, according to Census Bureau data.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.