Texas

Texas counties lead the US in population growth, Census says

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

Texas counties lead the US in population growth, Census says

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Six out of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023 are in Texas, according to recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase that brought its population over 185,000, Census data shows. Rockwall and Liberty counties followed closely behind, each with growth bursts of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively.

Population increases across the southern U.S. were largely due to people relocating from other parts of the country, Census officials said. On average, counties in the South experienced faster growth in 2023 than in 2022.

“Domestic migration patterns are changing, and the impact on counties is especially evident,” said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch, in a Thursday statement.

Big counties see major population increases

Texas also holds eight out of the ten counties across the country that added the most residents from 2022 to 2023. Harris, Collin and Montgomery counties led the pack.

Harris County added 53,788 residents, more than any other county in the U.S. With nearly 5 million total residents, it’s now the third most populous county in the country. Harris also saw the second-highest gains from international migration of all counties nationwide.

Collin, Denton and Tarrant counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area also had significant gains, bringing in tens of thousands of new people. Denton is now the seventh county in Texas to surpass 1 million residents.

Notably, Dallas County didn’t make the Census’ top ten list.

Growth in the state’s major counties boosted Texas’ overall population. The state grew more than any other in the country in 2023, by nearly half a million people, according to earlier Census estimates.

Texas’ cities are booming

Texas’ four most populous metro areas — Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — were among the top 10 metro areas with the biggest population increases from 2022 to 2023.

The greater Dallas area saw the highest jump. It added 152,598 residents, bringing its total population over 8 million. The greater Houston area followed closely behind, adding 139,789 over the same period. Its total population is now over 7.5 million residents.

Nearly 70% of Texas residents live in the state’s four largest metro areas, according to estimates from the Texas Demographic Center.

But the Midland metro area grew more rapidly than any of them. From 2022 to 2023, Midland’s population increased by nearly 3% — making it the seventh fastest-growing metro area in the country.

Midland is part of the Permian Basin, the highest-producing oil field in the U.S., and is home to much of Texas’ oil and gas production.

Tracee Bentley, CEO of Permian Strategic Partnership — a collaboration between Permian Basin communities and oil and gas companies — said job growth in the energy sector could be driving population increases in Midland.

“The nature of the jobs that you’re seeing in the oil and gas space are attracting some of the younger professionals who want to come here,” Bentley said.

Overall, more U.S. counties saw population gains than losses in 2023, but the South saw faster growth than much of the rest of the country, according to Census data.

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Texas

Fire displaces dozens at Fort Worth senior living facility

Published

8 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Fire displaces dozens at Fort Worth senior living facility

A fire at a senior living facility in Fort Worth forced more than 50 residents to evacuate late Sunday morning. Many are now staying with nearby family, while others still don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight. Heavy smoke, soot, and water damage left the building unsafe to occupy, with conditions harsh enough to irritate eyes and throats after only a short time inside.

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Texas

Date night or girls’ night? Valentine’s and Galentine’s events to love in North Texas

Published

20 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Date night or girls’ night? Valentine’s and Galentine’s events to love in North Texas

Love is in the air, whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart or your closest friends. North Texas is packed with Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s events that will make February feel extra special.

Here are 10 Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day events happening around Dallas-Fort Worth as you start making plans.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT REUNION TOWER

Get a breathtaking view of the Dallas skyline while celebrating on Friday and Saturday of Valentine’s Day weekend. There will be photo ops, specialty cocktails and mocktails, custom cookies, poems, and acoustic music by Mountain Natives on Friday. Saturday will feature a skyline sketch, taught by local artists.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 and 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd. E, Dallas. Tickets are $63.56 per person and $124.73 for couples.

GRAPEVINE’S WINE, CHOCOLATE & ROMANCE ON MAIN TOUR

Experience an intimate Valentine’s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine. It will feature wine and light bites from local wineries.

DETAILS: Thursdays through Sundays in February from 3 to 5 p.m. 324 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $123 per person.

Experience an intimate Valentine s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine.

Courtesy of Jennifer Neal

FLAMING COCKTAIL HOT DATE NIGHT

Expect a hot date night where couples can blow and create their own heart or flower made from molten glass. Attendees can also indulge in flaming cocktails to toast their love.

DETAILS: Feb. 11-14 from noon to 7 p.m. at Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery, 701 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $55 per person.

FORTWORTHIANS101 SPEED DATING EVENT

Restaurant West + Stone at Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel is co-hosting a Fortworthians101 speed-dating event. Guests are guaranteed to speak to at least 10 people and continue the conversations during a singles mixer after the speed dating concludes.

DETAILS: Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at West + Stone, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Ages 25-37. Speed dating tickets and mixer tickets ate $47.80; mixer-only tickets are $13.03.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND MOVIE NIGHT AT WHISKEY RANCH

Guests are invited to bundle up and bring chairs and blankets to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in the great outdoors. Admission includes a free first cocktail.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Whiskey Ranch, 2601 Whiskey Ranch Road, Fort Worth. Tickets are $11.99.

GALENTINE’S/VALENTINE’S COOKIE DECORATING & WINE

Decorate cookies with your date or gal pals at this gallery experience. While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists.

DETAILS: This event occurs Wednesday through Sunday during February at Giddens Gallery, 624 S. Main St., Grapevine. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $62.

While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas... — While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists at Giddens Gallery.
Courtesy of Giddens Gallery

LOVE LETTERS-RUNWAY THEATRE

Watch an intimate, moving play with your loved ones that spans decades of hopes, dreams, and heartfelt words.

DETAILS: Feb. 13-15 at 3 and 8 p.m. at Runway Theatre, 215 N Dooley St., Grapevine. Tickets are $30.

VALENTINE’S/GALENTINE’S DAY AT PEGASUS PLAZA

Take a trip to downtown Dallas with your bestie or date and attend the free Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day event at Pegasus Plaza. It will have a doggy kissing booth, free photo booth and free flowers.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pegasus Plaza, 1500 Main St., Dallas. Free.

DFW LADIES GALENTINE’S GAL HIKE

Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals. The hike starts on the Arbor Hills Trail, heads up to the Pond of Vasil Levski, continues to the Observation Deck, and then loops back through the prairie trail. Attendees are invited to wear pink. After the hike, there will be a brunch at restaurant Whiskey Cake.

DETAILS: Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, 6701 West Parker Road, Plano. Free.

Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals, hosted by Texas Ladies Get... — Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals, hosted by Texas Ladies Get Outdoors and Travel group.
Courtesy of Texas Ladies Get Out

MCKINNEY GALENTINE’S POP UP

The Stix Icehouse will have a special Galentine’s Day celebration filled with shopping, jewelry and music bingo. Attendees can also create custom-made permanent jewelry and a trucker hat.

DETAILS: Feb. 11 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy., Suite #100, McKinney. Free.

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Texas

Live results: Texas state Senate runoff

Published

1 day ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Democrats are hoping for an upset in a special runoff election for a state Senate seat in Texas on Saturday.

Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a local union leader, is facing off against Republican Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist in the Fort Worth-area district.

Though the district is reliably red, Rehmet did better than expected in the November election that led to the runoff, fueling some GOP concerns.

Follow Decision Desk HQ’s live results here.

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