The U.S. Census Bureau released new 2023 population estimates on May 16 showing a slew of data for cities of all sizes and regions. Do you know the population change last year for the 15 largest cities in your state?

The Census Bureau began its May 16 press release by noting a bright spot for the Northeast, the only region that lost population from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, according to the bureau's initial press release of population data for 2023 last December.
Large cities in the Northeast and Midwest grew in 2023, reversing earlier population declines, according to Vintage 2023 Population Estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The new update shows that among the 15 fastest growing cities with 20,000+ population as of July 1, 2023, over half were in Texas, with most of the remainder in the South. Notable exceptions were #5: Lathrop, California, and #15, Athens, Ohio.
Table 1. The 15 Fastest-Growing Cities Between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, With Populations of 20,000 or More as of July 1, 2022 | ||||
Rank | Area Name | State | % Increase | 2023 Total Population |
1 | Celina city | Texas | 26.6 | 43,317 |
2 | Fulshear city | Texas | 25.6 | 42,616 |
3 | Princeton city | Texas | 22.3 | 28,027 |
4 | Anna city | Texas | 16.9 | 27,501 |
5 | Lathrop city | California | 13.6 | 39,857 |
6 | Centerton city | Arkansas | 11.2 | 23,953 |
7 | Haines city | Florida | 10.8 | 37,272 |
8 | Georgetown city | Texas | 10.6 | 96,312 |
9 | Prosper town | Texas | 10.5 | 41,660 |
10 | Forney city | Texas | 10.4 | 35,470 |
11 | Kyle city | Texas | 9.0 | 62,548 |
12 | Lebanon city | Tennessee | 8.9 | 48,112 |
13 | Fort Mill town | South Carolina | 8.8 | 33,626 |
14 | Leesburg city | Florida | 8.7 | 31,721 |
15 | Athens city | Ohio | 8.6 | 24,673 |
Credit: U.S. Census Bureau, May 16, 2024
State data
The Census staff constructed an interactive map of the U.S. showing the 15 largest cities in every state with their:
- Population: July 1, 2022
- Population: July 1, 2023
- Percent difference
- State total percent change in population
Put your browser on the state to see the data.
National data
Notwithstanding the population decline in the Northeast, "[m]ore states experienced population growth in 2023 than in any year since the start of the pandemic," noted the Census Bureau on Dec. 19, 2023. The nation grew by 0.5%, adding 1.6 million to nearly 335 million people
Related:
- Small Towns Grow Faster Than Cities for First Time in Decades, May 15, 2024
- California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million, April 11, 2024
- Population Losers, December 28, 2023
- Southern States Lead US Population Growth, December 21, 2023
- U.S. Population Growing Again in 2022 After Flatlining in 2021, December 27, 2022

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