Let’s take a closer look at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, DFW has reached a remarkable population of 8.1 million residents. Between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, the region welcomed an impressive 152,598 new residents, making it the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States and a preferred destination for many newcomers to Texas. While DFW comprises 26.6% of Texas’ total population, its growth accounted for 32.2% of the state’s overall population increase in 2023.
The overall growth in DFW is striking, but the daily increase is even more notable, averaging 418 new residents per day in 2023. This figure represents the net change in population, factoring in births, deaths, immigration, and emigration. In Tarrant County alone, the population surged by over 13,000, ranking it fifth among counties with the largest increases this year. The U.S. Census Bureau divides the metro area into two sections, with the Fort Worth-Arlington division—including Tarrant, Johnson, Parker, and Wise counties—comprising 33% of DFW’s population, or approximately 2.6 million residents. This number exceeds the populations of fourteen states!
Fort Worth Population Insights
Recent population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that Fort Worth’s population has reached 978,468, making it the 12th largest city in the U.S., surpassing Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. Among the top 25 largest cities, Fort Worth recorded an impressive 5.9% growth rate, adding 54,866 residents from 2020 to 2023, which positions it as the leader in percentage growth.
In the past five years, Fort Worth, Austin, and Jacksonville, Florida, have been in close competition for population growth, with each city within a few thousand residents of one another, all approaching the one million mark. If Fort Worth maintains its current growth rate, it is likely to become one of the few U.S. cities with a population exceeding one million within the next year or two.
Economic development aims to enhance the economy of a specific region by attracting businesses, creating jobs, and supporting local enterprises. A growing population contributes to a larger workforce, making the area more appealing to businesses seeking talent, while also generating new customers for local businesses. This, in turn, fuels overall economic prosperity in Fort Worth.