US Cities by Population Growth, 2026
U.S. Cities by Population Growth, 2026
This ranking measures one-year population growth by percentage for U.S. incorporated places and towns with at least 20,000 residents in the July 1, 2024 estimate. The snapshot uses the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates, comparing July 1, 2024 with July 1, 2025.
The ranking is labeled as a 2026 snapshot because the Census Bureau released the Vintage 2025 city and town estimates on May 14, 2026. The unit is percent increase, and the ranking direction is descending: a higher one-year percentage increase ranks higher.
+24.6% from July 2024 to July 2025 among places with at least 20,000 residents in the 2024 estimate.
Greenville, Texas is the fifteenth entry in the official Census table.
Official Census Bureau table of the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns over the 20,000-resident threshold.
One-year percent population increase, U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 Population Estimates.
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Overview
The fastest-growth list is dominated by smaller and midsized cities on the outer edges of large metro areas rather than by the largest central cities. Texas is the clearest concentration: the top five entries are all in Texas, and eight of the fifteen Census entries are Texas cities.
Percentage growth answers a different question from raw population gain. A city can rank highly because it starts from a smaller population base, while a much larger city can add more residents but post a lower rate. For that reason, this ranking should be read as a growth-intensity table, not a table of the largest numeric population gains.
Top 10 cities by one-year population growth
| Rank | City / Town | Growth | Region / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celina, TX | +24.6% | South; 2025 population 64,427 |
| 2 | Fulshear, TX | +21.0% | South; 2025 population 64,630 |
| 3 | Princeton, TX | +18.1% | South; 2025 population 43,524 |
| 4 | Melissa, TX | +14.5% | South; 2025 population 29,969 |
| 5 | Anna, TX | +10.2% | South; 2025 population 35,245 |
| 6 | Haines City, FL | +10.0% | South; 2025 population 45,973 |
| 7 | Waukee, IA | +9.3% | Midwest; 2025 population 34,890 |
| 8 | Forney, TX | +8.5% | South; 2025 population 41,658 |
| 9 | Eagle Mountain, UT | +8.5% | West; 2025 population 66,557 |
| 10 | Johnstown, CO | +8.4% | West; Census town; 2025 population 22,433 |
The table ranks by one-year percent increase, not by total residents added. All rows use the same Census Vintage 2025 comparison window.
Chart: Top 15 confirmed Census entries
The Census list ranges from Celina, Texas at +24.6% to Greenville, Texas at +7.5%. The largest gap is at the very top, where the first three Texas cities are well above the rest of the table.
Methodology
The ranking uses the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 Population Estimates table for the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns with populations of 20,000 or more. The population threshold is based on the July 1, 2024 population estimate. The growth value is the Census-reported percent increase from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.
Indicator
One-year population growth percentage for incorporated places and towns with at least 20,000 residents in the July 1, 2024 estimate.
Ranking logic
Rows are ranked in descending order by percent increase. Larger percentage growth ranks higher.
Snapshot
The page is a 2026 snapshot based on Census Vintage 2025 estimates released on May 14, 2026.
Source
Single official source: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 Population Estimates, city and town population estimates.
The table keeps the Census-reported percentage values to one decimal place. The 2025 total population values are included as notes to help readers understand the population base behind each percentage. The ranking does not measure housing affordability, economic growth, migration alone, housing permits, school enrollment, infrastructure capacity or quality of life.
The main limitation is that percentage growth can favor smaller places. A midsized city can rank near the top with a smaller absolute number of added residents, while a large city can add many more residents but show a lower growth rate. Year-to-year comparisons should stay within the same Census vintage because each new vintage revises the full estimate series.
Main ranking table
Use the controls to search, filter and sort the Census Top 15 table. The table ranks cities and towns by one-year population growth percentage from July 2024 to July 2025.
| Rank | City / Town | Growth | Region / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celina, TX | +24.6% | South; 2025 population 64,427 |
| 2 | Fulshear, TX | +21.0% | South; 2025 population 64,630 |
| 3 | Princeton, TX | +18.1% | South; 2025 population 43,524 |
| 4 | Melissa, TX | +14.5% | South; 2025 population 29,969 |
| 5 | Anna, TX | +10.2% | South; 2025 population 35,245 |
| 6 | Haines City, FL | +10.0% | South; 2025 population 45,973 |
| 7 | Waukee, IA | +9.3% | Midwest; 2025 population 34,890 |
| 8 | Forney, TX | +8.5% | South; 2025 population 41,658 |
| 9 | Eagle Mountain, UT | +8.5% | West; 2025 population 66,557 |
| 10 | Johnstown, CO | +8.4% | West; Census town; 2025 population 22,433 |
| 11 | Kuna, ID | +8.4% | West; 2025 population 31,525 |
| 12 | Queen Creek, AZ | +8.2% | West; Census town; 2025 population 89,770 |
| 13 | Hutto, TX | +7.9% | South; 2025 population 46,048 |
| 14 | Foley, AL | +7.8% | South; 2025 population 30,354 |
| 15 | Greenville, TX | +7.5% | South; 2025 population 37,069 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Population Estimates, Table 3. Values compare July 1, 2024 with July 1, 2025.
Insights
Texas leads the top of the table
Celina, Texas leads the Census list at +24.6%, far ahead of the fifteenth-ranked Greenville, Texas at +7.5%.
Top-five concentration
The top five entries are all in Texas, showing a strong concentration of rapid one-year growth in Texas exurban cities.
Regional pattern
The South accounts for ten of the fifteen entries, while the West accounts for four and the Midwest accounts for one.
Midwest exception
Waukee, Iowa is the only Midwest entry in the Census Top 15, with +9.3% growth and a 2025 population of 34,890.
What It Means
For readers, this ranking is most useful as a signal of where rapid local population pressure is showing up. Fast percentage growth can affect housing demand, school capacity, road planning, water infrastructure, public safety staffing and local tax-base expectations.
The ranking should not be read as a full measure of economic strength or migration. A city can rank highly because it is starting from a smaller base. Analysts should compare this table with raw population gain, housing permits, employment growth, commuting patterns, household income, school enrollment and infrastructure investment before drawing broader conclusions.
The 2025 population notes matter because they show the scale behind the rate. Queen Creek, Arizona has a lower growth rate than the top five Texas cities but a larger 2025 population than any other place in this Census list.
FAQ
Which U.S. city grew fastest in this 2026 snapshot?
Celina, Texas ranks first in the Census table with +24.6% population growth from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.
Does this ranking use 2026 population values?
No. It is a 2026 publication snapshot based on Census Vintage 2025 city and town estimates. The comparison window is July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.
Why are only places over 20,000 residents included?
The Census table uses places with populations of 20,000 or more based on the July 1, 2024 population estimate. The threshold reduces small-base distortion compared with very small towns.
Does population growth mean people moved in?
Not exactly. A city population estimate reflects total population change. It can include births, deaths, domestic migration, international migration, housing-related changes and estimation adjustments.
Why do Texas cities dominate the list?
Based on the Census Top 15, Texas has eight entries and the full top five. The pattern points to rapid growth in smaller cities around major Texas metro areas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.
Why can a city with fewer added residents rank higher than a large city?
The ranking is based on percentage increase. A smaller city can post a high percentage increase with fewer added residents, while a large city can add more people but have a lower percentage increase.
What should be checked after this ranking?
Check raw population gain, housing supply, road capacity, school enrollment, tax base, water infrastructure and local affordability. Percentage growth alone does not show whether growth is financially or physically sustainable.
Sources
U.S. Census Bureau — Population Growth Holds Steady in Midsized Cities Amid Widespread Slowdown
Official Census Bureau release published May 14, 2026. Used for Table 3, the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns with populations of 20,000 or more from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025.
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/vintage-2025-city-town-pop-estimates.html
U.S. Census Bureau — City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2025
Official Census Bureau data page for Vintage 2025 city and town population estimate tables, including annual change tables and incorporated-place population files.
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html
U.S. Census Bureau — Population Estimates Program
Official program page for Census population estimates, methodology context and release structure. Used to explain why same-vintage comparisons are required.
