Fastest-Growing U.S. Cities (2020 Census): Texas & Arizona Dominate Top 10

The 2020 Census revealed a Sun Belt surge. All top-10 fastest-growing cities (by % annual growth, pop. 50k+) are in Texas or Arizona:

1. Buckeye, AZ — 7.1%
2. Leander, TX — 6.9%
3. New Braunfels, TX — 6.8%
4. Goodyear, AZ — 6.7%
5. Georgetown, TX — 6.6%
6. Round Rock, TX — 5.9%
7. Frisco, TX — 5.8%
8. Mansfield, TX — 5.7%
9. McKinney, TX — 5.6%
10. Gilbert, AZ — 5.5%

Drivers

• Job growth: Tech (Austin/Dallas corridors), aerospace, healthcare, logistics.
• Housing affordability: vs. coastal metros.
• Business climate: No state income tax (TX), pro-development zoning.
• Quality of life: Schools, parks, master-planned communities.

Caveats

• Growth rates compound—smaller bases yield higher %.
• Water stress (AZ), grid strain (TX), infrastructure lag are real risks.
• 2023–24 estimates show some cooling (mortgage rates, migration shifts).

The list reflects a decade-long rearrangement of American population gravity.