Fastest Growing Cities in Texas for Business

Victoria is Victoria County’s county seat. In 2020, it had a population of 65.5K, which rose to over 65.8K in 2023. Despite a population growth rate of just 0.4%, it is still one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.

According to the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC), Victoria is a proper region for business. Moreover, Texas’ major cities, such as Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, are less than a two-hour ride away, making it an economic hub. Victoria utilizes the 361 phone area code and Caterpillar and Formosa Plastics are some of the territory’s top industries.

The seat of Webb County, Laredo, is located on the Mexican border. Nicknamed ”The Gateway City,” it saw a 0.9% population growth in three years, from 255K (2020) to 257K (2023).

As of 2024, Laredo has more than 267K residents, with an annual household income of  $51,867. Plus, with a $321 billion total import/export trade value, the progressive city is the number one U.S. port for entry. Overlooked by area code 956, trade, transportation, utilities, education, health services, leisure, hospitality, professional and business services are the top sectors providing employment in the section. 

While the Abilene metropolitan statistical area had a population of over 181K, being its principal city, Abilene itself has over 129K people as of July, 2023. The city’s population growth rate from 2020 is about 3.1%.

Situated at the Greater Abilene area’s center, food processing and manufacturing are thriving sectors because of Abilene’s suitable location and outstanding infrastructure. Dyess Air Force Base is one of the largest employers there, providing over 5K employment. More importantly, Key City is among the US’s most affordable cities and uses the 325 telephone code.

Located in northwest Texas, Lubbock saw a 3.8% increment in population from 2020 to 2023. It currently has over 266K people.
 

College Station is an integral part of the Bryan–College Station metropolitan area. The ever-growing city’s population growth rate from 2020 (120K) to 2023 (125K) is 3.9%.

The Bryan–College Station metropolitan area is within the Texas Gulf Coast region and uses the 979 area code. Thanks to this, companies and individuals can access the global distribution network of Houston’s port. Among various industries, including the information systems and technology sector, the area focuses more on tech and manufacturing.

Considering Midland’s 4.4% population growth from 132,524 (2020) to 138,397 (2023), it is among the fastest-growing cities in Texas. As for Midland County, it has more than 177K residents.

Furthermore, Midland was ranked number three in the Chamber of Commerce's Best Small Cities for Business list in 2022. Compared to other cities, it has an impressive average household income of $123,556. Axis Pipe and Tube, iBio, and Wayfair are some major employers, and all have 432 phone numbers.

South-central Texas’ significant city, San Antonio’s total number of inhabitants rose from 1.43 to 1.49 million in the last 3 years, with a 4.3% growth rate.

Also known as the Military City, San Antonio’s top business sectors are healthcare and bioscience, IT and cybersecurity, aerospace, and the new energy economy. Most residents earn over $62K annually and the city is identified by the area code 210.

Fort Worth is the US's 12th largest city by population. As of 2023, it had over 978K residents, a 6.5% increase from 2020.

Moreover, Panther City is a great place for starting a business. Firstly, it has a 12% lesser cost of doing business compared to the national average, the real estate is cheaper, and the government offers incentives. Also, though Fort Worth states feels like a small town, it is covered by two area codes, 682 and 817. 

Texas City is situated along Galveston Bay. Having had a 9.1% growth from 2020 to 2023, it has over 56K population and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.

Additionally, Texas City has a diversified employment scenario. The manufacturing and petrochemical industries are at the top, offering over 4K jobs, followed by the healthcare and retail sectors. Not just that, this city using the 409 area code also provides a pro-business surrounding, skilled labor, and a nurturing community.

Being a part of El Paso County, Socorro is situated on Mexico’s border. The city’s number of inhabitants grew from 34.3K to 38.2K, with an 11.5% growth rate.

Since it is on the border, there are many manufacturing and internationally owned businesses. With over 11K households, Socorro has a high occupancy rate, and most of them use the 915 phone number code.

Denton is a primary city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area. Its estimated population was 139,866 on April 1, 2020, which became 158,349 on July 1, 2023, with a 13.2% growth rate.

As per Livability's 2022 report, it is one of the Best Places to Live in the USA. And looking at Denton County’s median household income of $160K, it is not that surprising. Plus, with over 370K households, Denton has a good base of potential customers who all use the 940 prefix for their local phone numbers.

Temple is one of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood metropolitan area’s primary cities. It had a population growth rate of 13.4% as its occupants increased from over 82K (2020) to 93K (2023).

Manufacturing, logistics and distribution, health and life sciences, and business services are the region's top industries. Moreover, in 2019, a financial technology company, SmartAsset, ranked Temple as the tenth best American city to work in tech. The businesses and individuals here use 254 phone area code.

Established in 1904, Conroe has a population of 113,912. It saw a 20.3% growth within three years from 2020 to 2023.

The city has a 67% employment rate and a $77K annual median household income. Conroe is also attracting people to its progressing business-friendly environment, as the cost of living there is 10% less than the US national average. Spread around 77.5 square miles, it operates with the 936 area code.

New Braunfels is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area. Being part of one of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the US, it had a proper hike in its population with a 22.7 % growth rate from 90,408 in 2020 to 110,958 in 2023.

Healthcare services, retail trade, construction, accommodation, and food services are the top employing industries contributing to the city’s median household income of $87K. Furthermore, New Braunfels’s metropolitan area also offers a competitive cost for business. And, the whole territory is covered by the 830 phone area code. 

Fulshear has a grand median household income of $170K per year. And unsurprisingly, its population growth rate was 156.1% (2020-2023).

Formerly, Fulshear was just another normal location. But since its inhabitants have increased unexpectedly, the city is also moving more towards development. From improving its infrastructure to enhancing walkability, the ”new Katy” is trying best to keep up with the change. Moreover, looking at the increasing population, the region has more than one phone area code, 281, 346, 832, and 713, to fulfill people’s necessity for telecommunication.

Considering Celina’s impressive median household income of $161K, no wonder it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, not just Texas. From 2020 to 2023, the city’s population growth rate was 156.7%.

While Celina is already a business hub, it is on the move to take itself to the next level. From having an estimated $218 million in scheduled projects, Celina Economic Development Corp. has planned on investing over a billion dollars for capital investments over half a decade. Thankfully the region has multiple area codes (214, 469, 972, and 945) to fulfill its growing communication needs.

While Caddo Mills is said to be Hunt County’s rural city, it won’t be that rural in some years. Though there are only 5.5K residents, the city’s 178% population growth rate is on par with some of the USA's other locations.

Health care and social assistance, finance and insurance, and manufacturing are the well-performing industries in the region. Currently, Caddo Mills’ average income is $97K, and the city is planning 7K homes, by 2029. Nonetheless, no matter how many houses are added, its 430/903 telephone codes can surely handle the phone service needs.

According to our research, Liberty Hill is the fastest-growing city in Texas. Its 185.5% population growth rate is the highest among the above-mentioned cities.

Having a $94K median income, Liberty Hill is looking forward to attracting even more population in the coming days. Manufacturing, retail, professional services, healthcare, and bioscience are the growing sectors of the area. 512 and 737 are the existing area codes, and the city will surely adapt some more if its population keep increasing at the same rate.

As stated in the beginning, Texas is the US’s second most populated state. Considering the impressive population growth rate of many cities, it won’t be too much of a surprise to see the Lone Star state claim the top spot. Liberty Hill, Caddo Mills, Celina, Fulshear, and New Braunfels are among the top five fastest-growing cities in Texas. And as you have already read, the locations mentioned above offer a great business environment.

So, if you are looking to open a firm or expand your business, then Texas can be your next destination. But before that, sign up with Calilio and get a Texas phone number with the area code of your desire. With it, you can create a local presence in the state, boost your marketing efforts, and attract more regional customers.