Tarrant County outpaces neighboring counties and national growth trends, welcoming nearly 33,000 new residents in one year, with Fort Worth playing a central role in this rapid expansion

Fort Worth, Texas – In the heart of Texas, Tarrant County has marked itself as a hub of rapid population growth, ranking fourth in the state for its climb in resident numbers. This growth trajectory is underscored by the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, highlighting the county’s significant demographic changes over the recent year.

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From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, Tarrant County, which encapsulates major cities like Fort Worth and Arlington, welcomed an estimated 32,793 new residents. This breaks down to about 89 new people each day, showing an uptick from the previous year’s daily increase of approximately 82 people. Such figures not only illustrate a sustained population boom but also bring the county’s total to an estimated 2.23 million inhabitants.

This 1.5% increase in population outpaces both the national growth average of 0.4% and neighboring Dallas County’s growth, which stood at 0.8%. According to Kristie Wilder, a demographer at the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates branch, Tarrant County has maintained a consistent growth rate, even navigating through a slowdown between 2020 and 2021. Wilder identifies international migration as a significant driver of this increase, despite a notable shift in domestic migration patterns.

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“The largest component that’s contributing to growth in that county is international migration,” Wilder said. “Tarrant County did experience a bit of net domestic out migration, or people moving out to other parts of the U.S., but that was largely offset by the net international migration.”

Interestingly, the county also reported a natural increase, with births outpacing deaths, further contributing to the population growth. This trend mirrors broader developments across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which remains a magnet for new residents.

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North of Fort Worth, Denton County is undergoing its own transformative growth. Although smaller than Tarrant, Denton saw its population surge by 3.1% to reach an estimated 1.05 million people. Meanwhile, on the Dallas side, Collin County notched the third-highest population increase in the nation, adding roughly 46,694 residents to hit a new total of 3.9 million.

The broader Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to stand out on the national stage, securing the third spot for raw population growth behind New York City and Houston. Within this dynamic, Fort Worth itself has achieved a new milestone, surpassing Austin to become the fourth-largest city in Texas as of early 2024.

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These statistics paint a picture of a region in flux, consistently attracting new residents through its vibrant economy, diverse communities, and expanding opportunities. As Tarrant County and its neighbors navigate this growth, the impact on infrastructure, housing, and services will be key areas to watch, shaping the future of this bustling Texas region.