AUSTIN, Texas — New census data shows that the Austin metro area is no longer the fastest-growing region of its size in the country.
For 12 years, data consistently showed the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was the nation's fastest-growing large metro area. Now, it's down several spots with the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA taking its place.
Census estimates show that the Austin MSA added more than 50,000 residents between 2022 and 2023, growing at rate of 2.1%. Based on the new data, the MSA is now the 26th most populous metro area in the country and saw the seventh-largest increase in population from 2022 to 2023.
According to the city of Austin, the slower growth rate can be attributed to historically low domestic migration, or the number of people moving into the metro area from other parts of Texas and other U.S. states. The city said domestic migration is the lowest it's been in the past decade – so even though international migration was the highest it's been in that same amount of time and natural increase stayed relatively consistent, those declines in domestic migration led to a slower growth rate for the Austin area.
The city said Travis, Williamson and Hays counties all saw lower net migration from 2022 to 2023, but the steepest declines were in Travis County. Estimates show more people are moving out of that county than into it, leading to negative net migration.
Of the counties in the Austin MSA, only Williamson made the lists of fastest-growing counties and top 10 counties that led the U.S. by total numeric change in 2023, according to the city.
"Historically, the Austin metro area receives about 50% of domestic migrants from other parts of Texas and about 20% from out of state," City of Austin Demographer Lila Valencia said. "When we receive additional data on migration flows, we’ll have a better understanding of the number and origins of domestic migrants to the Austin metro area."
Census data helps determine how the federal government distributes funds for community development, social services and the constructions of roads, hospitals and schools. It also plays a role in redrawing boundaries for congressional districts, as well as districts for the Texas Legislature and the Austin City Council.
The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to release population estimates for cities and towns in May. According to Austin's demographics dashboard, the city's population is currently listed as 975,335.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.