In the Austin metro, Hutto was the fastest-growing city in the area by percent population change, and ranked 13th overall in the nation with a year over year population increase of 9.4%.
Georgetown, which had ranked as the fastest-growing city in the U.S. with a population of more than 50,000 in 2021 and 2022, lost its spot as the fastest-growing U.S. city in 2023, as the Census Bureau began including smaller cities in the data.
How it works
The bureau’s population division estimates a city’s population as of July 1, 2024, and compares it to July 1, 2023. Out of the top 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S., North Texas was home to five of them.
Following Hutto, the next five fastest-growing U.S. cities in Central Texas in 2024 were:
- 18th: Leander
- 29th: Seguin
- 49th: Manor
- 71st: Georgetown
- 73rd: New Braunfels
“Our growth is fueled by a strong sense of community, a lower cost of living compared to surrounding areas, and a lot of momentum from new businesses and families choosing to call Hutto home,” Gamboa said.
In a statement to Community Impact, Hutto Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough said the police department remains prepared to respond to changes that come with expansion.
What they’re saying
After the U.S. Census Bureau changed its format to include cities with a population of 20,000 or higher instead of 50,000 or higher, Georgetown ranked as the 8th fastest-growing city in 2023 before becoming the 71st fastest-growing city in 2024.
Georgetown’s population increased by 4.8% between 2023 and 2024, adding 4,613 new residents which brings the city’s total population to 101,344, Census estimates show.
“While no longer one of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Georgetown continues to attract thousands of new residents each year,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said in a statement to Community Impact.
Schroeder said the city continues to update its capital improvement plans, and expand its infrastructure and roads to meet the demands of residents and businesses.
“We remain committed to preserving the unique charm of the city we love while welcoming new residents and visitors,” Schroeder said in the statement.
