Midsize cities on the fringes of major metros experienced a population boom last year, with Texas emerging as home to the five fastest-growing enclaves in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For the second time in recent years, Celina, TX, located 40 miles north of Dallas, topped the census rankings of population growth for cities with at least 20,000 residents. Meanwhile, the nation’s largest cities, including New York, saw population declines.
From July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025, Celina’s population climbed 24.6%, reaching 64,427. For context, during the same period, the national population growth rate registered just 0.5%…