AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is no longer the fourth largest city in Texas, according to finalized population estimates released last month.
The Texas Demographic Center shared its final 2023 Population Estimates report in November, which included population figures for Texas counties and communities for July 1, 2023, and Jan. 1, 2024. When reviewing data compiled for Jan. 1, 2024, TDC reported Fort Worth had edged ahead of Austin and claimed the title of the fourth most populous city in the Lone Star State.
Those estimates determined Fort Worth had a population count of 989,878 people for Jan. 1, 2024, marking a 7.7% increase over the city's 2020 Census count of 978,863 residents.
In contrast, Austin recorded an estimated population of 986,928 people as of Jan. 1, 2024 — up 2.6% from its 2020 Census count of 961,855 residents.
Not only did Fort Worth surpass Austin in statewide population rankings, but estimates found the north Texas city is seeing a higher percentage population growth compared to Texas' largest communities.
Houston, claiming the top spot, had an estimated population of 2,318,657 people as of Jan. 1, 2024, up 0.6% compared to 2020. San Antonio, ranked second statewide, saw a sizeable 4.3% increase in its population between 2020 and 2024, with an estimated 1,496,876 residents as of Jan. 1, 2024.
Rounding out the top three is Dallas, with a Jan. 1, 2024 population estimate of 1,308,404 residents. Its estimated population grew 0.3% since the 2020 Census count, when Dallas had roughly 1,304,379 residents.
The full report is available on TDC's website.
