Texas’ population growth is slowing, largely due to a drop in international immigration, but suburban areas are still booming and driving much of the state’s gains.
The state’s population surpassed 31 million, growing by about 391,000 people, or 1.2%, between mid-2024 and mid-2025. However, growth in major urban areas like Dallas County has slowed or even declined, while surrounding suburbs continue to expand rapidly.
State demographer Lloyd Potter said a 45% drop in people arriving from abroad has significantly reduced growth in cities that previously saw a surge in international migrants after the pandemic. Border areas like Laredo were hit hardest, with population growth nearly stalling.
Meanwhile, suburban counties are seeing major increases. Waller County, near Houston, was one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S., driven by available land, job growth, and easier access to nearby cities. Other fast-growing counties include Kaufman, Liberty, and Caldwell.
Experts say people are moving to the suburbs for more space, lower housing costs, and flexible work options. This shift has led to population losses in some urban centers, even as metro areas overall—like Harris County and the Dallas-Fort Worth region—continue to gain residents, just at a slower pace.
Despite the slowdown in immigration, Texas is expected to keep growing due to domestic migration and family formation, though some urban counties may continue to see declines.