It’s official, Texas has four of the largest cities in the United States and no, we’re not talking about Austin. Long mistaken as a suburb of Dallas, Fort Worth is reminding the nation that it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in America.
The City of Fort Worth announced in a news release on Thursday, May 14, that its population had grown to 1,028,117, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest data, planting the city as the No. 10 largest in the U.S. Fort Worth now trails Dallas, the No. 9 largest city, by 300,000 people and, more importantly for bragging rights, has 26,000 more people than Austin, the No. 12 largest city.
“Fort Worth is booming for the right reasons,” Mayor Mattie Parker said in the release. “As we celebrate our top 10 ranking, it’s more important than ever that we continue to lead with smart policies, smart investments and smart planning to ensure the city we love thrives long into the future.”
Fort Worth saw the second-largest population increase from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025, gaining 19,512 residents, according to the release. The city credits that growth to “a strong economy, a comparatively low cost of living and a favorable business climate.”
Founded in 1874 and known as Cowtown for its historic ties to the U.S. cattle industry, Fort Worth remains a popular destination for the Fort Worth Stockyards, TCU Horned Frogs athletics, Dickies Arena and barbecue joints Goldee’s and Panther City, among other attractions.
Texas meanwhile can now claim five of the 15 largest cities in the nation. Houston (the No. 3 largest) has 2.3 million people, San Antonio (No. 7) has 1.5 million, Dallas (No. 9) has 1.3 million and Fort Worth (No. 10) and Austin (No. 12) both have more than 1 million residents.