News Summary
San Antonio has been recognized as the seventh largest city in the United States, experiencing significant population growth with nearly 24,000 new residents added within a year. The surge in population highlights broader trends among southern cities, with notable growth in Fort Worth and Austin. However, as the city expands, it faces challenges such as rising rents and a high homeless population, necessitating urgent attention to housing solutions.
San Antonio has secured its position as the seventh largest city in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The city has witnessed a remarkable population surge, ranking fourth nationally in terms of population increase for the year 2024. Between July 2023 and July 2024, nearly 24,000 new residents called San Antonio home, bringing the total population to an impressive 1,526,656.
San Antonio is part of a significant trend observed among southern cities, with 11 cities in the region experiencing substantial population growth. Notably, Fort Worth has surpassed Austin to become the 11th largest city in the U.S., boasting a population exceeding 1 million residents. The city of Fort Worth gained 23,442 residents during the same period, reaching a total population of 1,008,106, reflecting the growing trend of urban migration within Texas.
Austin’s growth has also been notable, with an increase of more than 13,000 residents in recent months, bringing its population to 993,588. However, this gain caused Austin to drop to the 13th largest city in the nation. Houston continues to experience rapid growth, adding 43,217 residents, marking the second-highest increase in the country, just behind San Antonio.
Aside from San Antonio, Princeton, Texas, has emerged as the fastest-growing city in the U.S. for 2024, with its population doubling over the past five years to more than 37,000 residents. Georgetown has also surpassed 100,000 residents but is no longer recognized among the fastest-growing cities. Six other Texas cities have joined the ranks of the fastest-growing cities nationwide, highlighting the ongoing demographic shifts within the state.
The statistical outlook for Texas cities is impressive, with San Angelo also surpassing the 100,000 residents mark. The Austin-San Antonio corridor, now home to approximately 4.5 million people, is projected to grow between 6 to 7 million by 2030, indicating a robust metropolitan expansion.
However, San Antonio faces challenges alongside its growth. The city has the second-highest homeless population in Texas, with nearly 3,400 individuals reported in 2024. This issue is further highlighted by the statistics showing that Dallas holds the highest count at 3,718, followed by Houston and Austin with 3,280 and 2,975, respectively. Nationwide, nearly 771,480 people faced homelessness in January 2024—an alarming increase of 33% in homeless children compared to the previous year.
Overall, Texas is currently housing 27,987 individuals experiencing homelessness, representing a growing concern alongside urban development. As housing demand increases with rising populations, San Antonio has seen rents climbing sharply, necessitating an average income of $58,590 to afford rent, which has surged nearly 20% over the past five years. The average rent in San Antonio currently stands at $1,465, less than the national average of $2,024, while residents allocate roughly 23% of their income towards housing.
In summary, San Antonio’s significant population growth reflects broader demographic trends in Texas and the Southern region of the United States. As the city continues to expand and attract newcomers, it faces ongoing challenges related to housing and homelessness, making it imperative to address these issues even as it solidifies its place among America’s largest cities.
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Additional Resources
- CultureMap San Antonio: San Antonio Population Census 2024
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- KTSA: San Antonio’s Homeless Population
- Google Search: San Antonio homelessness
- CultureMap San Antonio: New Braunfels Livability
- Google Scholar: Urban migration Texas
- Community Impact: San Antonio Homeless Community
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas city growth
- CultureMap San Antonio: Fastest Growing Cities in Texas
- Google News: Texas population growth 2024
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
