Boom Towns

2 Dallas suburbs top list of the fastest growing cities in America

This little town is one of the two fastest growing cities in the U.S.

Photo by Roger Robinson/Visit Frisco

Loads of people are moving to Texas and a new report proves that's true, especially in two suburbs of Dallas.

Called “Top U.S. Cities Leading in Population Growth,” the study ranks 25 cities across the U.S., and two DFW cities made the top 10: Frisco and McKinney.

The study, from an online casino site called Casino of the Kings, analyzed U.S. cities with the fastest development to identify the ones that have the biggest population growth.

Nine metrics were used, including infrastructure investments (economic and neighborhood development), housing development, job growth rate, and unemployment rate.

Two surprising cities hit the top two slots: Goodyear, Arizona came in at No. 1 with a population increase of 42.02 percent; and St. George, Utah came in at No. 2.

Frisco ranked at No. 3 in the study due to its 22.2 percent population growth over the past five years, growing from 188,170 residents in 2019 to 229,846 in 2024. The city has the second biggest infrastructure investments, which pulled in $120 million, trailing only behind Goodyear Arizona’s $232 million.

Frisco saw 36.8 new houses built per 1000 existing homes. Jobs increased in the city at a rate of 4.5 percent, and unemployment is at 3.2 percent.

McKinney ranked at No. 4, with a population growth increas of 18.7 percent over the past five years: from 191,645 in 2019 to 227,567 in 2024. The city welcomed infrastructure investments of $100 million.

The city saw 35.3 new houses built per 1000 existing homes. Job growth in the city is up by 4.5 percent.

According to the study, McKinney has a 3 percent unemployment rate, the lowest amongst all Texas cities in the ranking.

In other Texas cities, Conroe took 7th place, with a population increase of 22.75 percent and the second-highest investments per person at $673.36. Infrastructure investments totaled $75 million.

League City, Texas, ranked 8th, with a population growth rate of 19.9 percent. Jobs in the city grew by 3.2 percent, and unemployment in League City was one of the lowest in the list, amounting to 3.1 percent.

The top 10 fastest-growing U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Goodyear, Arizona
No. 2 – St. George, Utah
No. 3 – Frisco, Texas
No. 4 – McKinney, Texas
No. 5 – Meridian, Idaho
No. 6 – Nampa, Idaho
No. 7 – Conroe, Texas
No. 8 – League City, Texas
No. 9 – Port St. Lucie, Florida
No. 10 – Buckeye, Arizona

The full report and its methodology can be found on Casino of the Kings.

Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

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