Richardson’s population has grown in number and diversity since the 2010 census, according to decennial census data released Sept. 16.

The city was home to 119,469 people in 2020, an increase of more than 20% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2010 census count listed Richardson’s population at 99,223.

The 2020 census data includes population counts by race, Hispanic origin and voting age. It also includes information about housing units at various levels, according to the bureau.

According to the bureau, large cities with populations of 50,000 or more grew at a faster pace in the South than in any other region. Since the last census, the population of people in these cities grew by about 12%, per the bureau.

In Richardson, the largest percent change in racial demographics occurred within the Black and African American community. The number of residents who fall into this category increased by more than 52%, from 8,238 to 12,615, according to the bureau.

The city’s share of Asian residents grew by nearly 37%, and residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino increased by nearly 30%. Residents who identify as white increased by almost 5%.

The 2020 census also collected information about the number of residents living in group quarters facilities, such as correctional facilities, nursing homes and college dorms.


In Richardson, the number of residents categorized as living in college/university student housing increased by about 1,531%, from 387 in 2010 to 6,313 in 2020, according to the data.

This could be due to the increase in the number of students attending the University of Texas at Dallas, which saw enrollment grow by 90% between 2010 and 2018, according to data from the university. In fall 2019, there were 29,543 students enrolled at UT Dallas, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Occupancy status of housing units is another data point available through the 2020 census. The number of housing units in Richardson increased by about 21% between 2010 and 2020, according to the data.

Of the 49,267 housing units in Richardson in 2020, 45,812 were occupied and 3,455 were vacant.


In 2010, Richardson had 40,630 housing units. Of those, 38,714 were occupied and 1,916 were vacant.

Representatives from the city of Richardson and UT Dallas were not immediately available for comment.

More information on Richardson’s 2020 census numbers is available here.