Statistics · 2026 · Real Estate
Population Growth Statistics (2026)
St. George, UT grew fastest in the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), adding 18.2% between the 2014–2018 and 2019–2023 five-year estimates, ahead of Bozeman, MT (+16.7%). Of 379 metros with 100,000 or more residents, 102 lost population by this measure. Census’s July 2025 estimate puts the U.S. at 341.8 million.
Key takeaways
- St. George, UT posted the largest ACS population gain, +18.2%, among 306 comparable metros of 100,000 or more residents.
- 102 of 379 metros with 100,000 or more residents show a lower 2019–2023 population than 2014–2018; the median change is +3.1%.
- 15 of the 20 most populous metros gained residents and 5 lost residents between the two ACS periods.
- Median 2025 permits per 1,000 residents rise from 1.8 in the slowest-growing fifth to 8.0 in the fastest-growing fifth.
- Median five-year FHFA price change stays between 47.8% and 52.8% in every growth fifth.
Which U.S. metros are growing the fastest?
St. George, UT gained the most population, +18.2%, between the 2014–2018 and 2019–2023 ACS five-year estimates, followed by Bozeman, MT at +16.7%. The ranking covers 306 metros with 100,000 or more residents whose boundaries compare cleanly across the two periods.
1. St. George, UT: +18.2% between ACS periods
It grew from about 160,600 to 189,827 residents. The field compares ACS 5-year estimates for 2019–2023 and 2014–2018; each averages 60 months of responses (WealthyBud data · 306 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
2. 24 of 306 comparable metros grew 10% or more; the median metro grew +2.95%
Idaho holds 3 of the ten largest gains (WealthyBud data · 306 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
3. 73 of 379 large metros are kept out of the rankings because of boundary differences
Census tells users to watch for changes in geographic boundaries between releases. WealthyBud sums each metro’s 2023 counties in both periods and sets aside metros whose reported change differs by more than 2 percentage points, plus Connecticut (planning regions replace counties in 2023 tables). The highest raw value, Wilmington, NC at +55.5%, is one: its same-county change is +7.4% (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
4. Census Vintage 2025: Ocala, FL was the fastest-growing metro from July 2024 to July 2025 at 3.4%
The Vintage 2025 metro release (March 26, 2026) ranks metros with 20,000 or more residents; Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC followed at 3.2%. These one-year estimates use a different period, so this page does not rank them with the ACS figures.
| Metro | Population, 2019–2023 ACS | Change from 2014–2018 ACS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. St. George, UT | 189,827 | +18.2% |
| 2. Bozeman, MT | 122,194 | +16.7% |
| 3. Coeur d'Alene, ID | 177,736 | +15.7% |
| 4. Provo, UT | 695,895 | +15.7% |
| 5. Greeley, CO | 340,711 | +15.4% |
| 6. Daphne, AL | 239,945 | +15.3% |
| 7. Austin, TX | 2,357,497 | +14.5% |
| 8. Boise, ID | 790,640 | +13.9% |
| 9. Lakeland, FL | 760,961 | +13.8% |
| 10. Idaho Falls, ID | 161,944 | +13.3% |
Which metros are shrinking?
Lumberton, NC shows the steepest decline among comparable metros, −12.4%, followed by Chico, CA at −7.8%. The ten largest declines run to −3.3%. The ranking covers 306 metros with 100,000 or more residents whose boundaries compare cleanly across the two ACS periods.
5. Lumberton, NC: −12.4%, the largest decline among 306 comparable metros
West Virginia holds 3 of the ten steepest declines (WealthyBud data · 306 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
6. The lowest raw ACS value, −67.7% for Salisbury, MD, reflects a boundary change
Census titles it “Salisbury, MD-DE Metro Area” in the 2014–2018 tables and “Salisbury, MD Metro Area” in 2019–2023. Its same-county change is +0.7%. Myrtle Beach, SC shows −17.6% reported but +15.0% in the same counties (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
The six steepest declines among comparable metros:
- Lumberton, NC lost 12.4% of its residents and ended at 116,858.
- Chico, CA lost 7.8% of its residents and ended at 209,470.
- Beckley, WV lost 5.6% of its residents and ended at 113,653.
- Goldsboro, NC lost 5.2% of its residents and ended at 117,606.
- Farmington, NM lost 4.9% of its residents and ended at 121,178.
- St. Joseph, MO lost 4.9% of its residents and ended at 120,609.
How many metros lost population?
102 of 379 U.S. metros with 100,000 or more residents (26.9%) show a lower population in the 2019–2023 ACS than in 2014–2018. Among the 306 with comparable boundaries, 76 (24.8%) do. 3 metros in the full pool are unchanged at one decimal, and the rest gained residents.
7. 102 of 379 large metros lost population in the ACS (26.9%)
The median metro gained 3.1%; 3 are unchanged to one decimal and 274 gained (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
8. 76 of 306 comparable metros lost population (24.8%)
The median change is +2.95%, and 227 metros gained (WealthyBud data · 306 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
9. Census: U.S. population reached 341.8 million on July 1, 2025, up 1.8 million (0.5%) in a year
The Vintage 2025 national estimates (January 27, 2026) call it the slowest growth since the early pandemic. For where people moved, see migration statistics.
10. Census Vintage 2025: metro areas grew 0.6% in a year; 310 of 387 grew more slowly than before
The metro release counts 295,450,885 metro residents on July 1, 2025, a gain of 1,704,826: 1,209,432 from net international migration and 613,743 from natural increase, less 119,205 from net domestic migration.
Are the largest metros still growing?
15 of the 20 most populous metros gained residents between the 2014–2018 and 2019–2023 ACS periods, and 5 lost residents. Dallas, TX grew most at +7.6%, and the median change across the 20 is +2.4%. The table flags one metro whose boundaries changed.
11. 15 of the 20 largest metros gained population; 5 lost it
The decliners are New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA and San Diego, CA. Together the 20 hold 39.9% of the 314,472,181 residents in the 923 metros with ACS population data. New York, NY carries a dagger in the table: its same-county change is +2.6% against −1.2% reported (WealthyBud data · 923 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
12. Census Vintage 2025: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX added 126,720 residents in one year, the most of any metro
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX added 123,557, per the Census Vintage 2025 release, for July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025. This one-year numeric gain is a different measure from the table.
| Metro | Population, 2019–2023 ACS | Change from 2014–2018 ACS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New York, NY† | 19,756,722 | −1.2% |
| 2. Los Angeles, CA | 13,012,469 | −1.9% |
| 3. Chicago, IL | 9,359,555 | −1.9% |
| 4. Dallas, TX | 7,807,555 | +7.6% |
| 5. Houston, TX | 7,274,714 | +7.3% |
| 6. Washington, DC | 6,263,796 | +2.0% |
| 7. Philadelphia, PA | 6,241,882 | +2.8% |
| 8. Atlanta, GA | 6,176,937 | +6.9% |
| 9. Miami, FL | 6,138,876 | +1.1% |
| 10. Phoenix, AZ | 4,941,206 | +5.7% |
| 11. Boston, MA | 4,917,661 | +2.2% |
| 12. San Francisco, CA | 4,653,593 | −0.4% |
| 13. Riverside, CA | 4,637,725 | +2.6% |
| 14. Detroit, MI | 4,367,620 | +1.2% |
| 15. Seattle, WA | 4,021,467 | +5.6% |
| 16. Minneapolis, MN | 3,693,351 | +3.8% |
| 17. San Diego, CA | 3,282,782 | −0.6% |
| 18. Tampa, FL | 3,240,469 | +6.9% |
| 19. Denver, CO | 2,977,085 | +4.5% |
| 20. Baltimore, MD | 2,839,409 | +1.7% |
Filter metros by growth, price and yield
Does population growth drive homebuilding?
Permits per resident are higher where population grew faster, but this data shows association, not cause. The fastest-growing fifth of metros permitted a median 8.0 units per 1,000 residents in 2025, against 1.8 in the slowest-growing fifth. Permits are from 2025.
13. Median permits per 1,000 residents: 1.8 in the slowest fifth, 8.0 in the fastest
Across 379 metros with 100,000 or more residents, the median rate climbs at every step (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · September 2026). Quintiles keep boundary-sensitive metros, so medians absorb them. Permits per resident divide 2025 permits by 2019–2023 population, an estimate across two periods.
14. 15 of 76 fastest-growing metros permitted below the 3.6 pool median
At the other end, 18 of 75 slowest-growing metros permitted above it (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · September 2026).
| Growth quintile | Metros | Population change | Median permits per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (slowest growth) | 75 | −67.7% to −1.0% | 1.8 |
| 2 | 76 | −0.9% to +1.8% | 2.4 |
| 3 | 76 | +1.8% to +3.9% | 3.5 |
| 4 | 76 | +3.9% to +7.3% | 5.6 |
| 5 (fastest growth) | 76 | +7.5% to +55.5% | 8.0 |
How does growth relate to home prices?
Five-year price change shows no steady pattern across growth fifths. The median FHFA change runs from 47.8% in fifth 4 to 52.8% in fifth 2 (fifth 1 grew slowest, fifth 5 fastest). Median listing prices are $267,000 in fifth 1, $416,200 in fifth 4 and $389,700 in fifth 5.
15. Median five-year price change ranges only from 47.8% to 52.8% across growth fifths
The FHFA House Price Index is a weighted, repeat-sales index; the change runs from Q1 2021 to Q1 2026 for the 340 of 379 metros with FHFA data (WealthyBud data · 340 metros · Census ACS · FHFA · September 2026). See also home price appreciation statistics.
16. Median listing price: $267,000 in the slowest-growing fifth, $389,700 in the fastest
Listing prices do not rise at every step. These are Realtor.com median listing prices: asking prices today, not five-year changes (WealthyBud data · 379 metros · Census ACS · Realtor.com · September 2026).
| Growth quintile | Metros | Median FHFA price change, Q1 2021 to Q1 2026 | Median listing price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (slowest growth) | 75 | +48.0% (66) | $267,000 |
| 2 | 76 | +52.8% (67) | $339,700 |
| 3 | 76 | +51.2% (66) | $384,700 |
| 4 | 76 | +47.8% (71) | $416,200 |
| 5 (fastest growth) | 76 | +51.0% (70) | $389,700 |
See growth on the WealthyBud map.
What this means for buyers and investors
For buyers, check whether a growth figure compares the same counties; 73 of 379 large metros fail that test. For permit counts, see new construction statistics.
For investors, growth and price change move separately here: the median FHFA change differs by only 5.0 points across growth fifths. Pair population data with listings and with job growth and housing statistics.
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