A Dallas Suburb, Princeton, Has Been Crowned 'America's Fastest Growing City.' Here's What's Behind Its Breakneck Expansion

The saying that everything is bigger in Texas holds true for Dallas suburb, Princeton, whose population has jumped by nearly a third, making it the fastest-growing city in the U.S.

30% Population Increase In One Year

Located about 46 miles from Dallas, Princeton has seen its population jump from about 28,000 to 37,000 between 2023 and 2024, according to the Census Bureau. It’s part of a broader trend that has seen Princeton’s population double since 2020, so much so that roads and infrastructure have barely been able to keep up, the Associated Press reports.

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Construction Pause To Accommodate Growth

Although the population growth has brought jobs, a new Walmart, it has also brought teething problems. Traffic has increased, and the water supply is strained, KDFW-TV reports. Last year, Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. and the City Council issued a pause on construction to better plan and account for its rapid growth. The pause has since been extended.

According to the Census Bureau, seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are in North Texas, including Anna and Celine. Nearby Fort Worth, which crossed the 1 million mark, has replaced Austin as the fourth-largest city in Texas.

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North Dallas Suburbs Are Booming Thanks To Jobs And Affordability

According to Census data, cities of all sizes grew from 2023 to 2024, with New York City, Houston, and Los Angeles enjoying the greatest numerical gains. However, the North Dallas suburbs have enjoyed a concentrated period of growth due to the major companies being based in the area, according to the AP. Another factor is affordability. According to Zillow, median home values were $325,683, far lower than those in surrounding areas.

“It’s affordability,” Escobar told the Texas Tribune. “That’s really the driving factor.” He told the Associated Press: “It’s still cheaper to commute and live in Princeton than maybe live closer to work.”

According to the Census data, Princeton added twice as many homes between 2020 and 2023 as in the entire preceding decade. The intended pause on the house will only be temporary; Escobar told the Tribune that many new home listings cost as little as $200,000 and that 10,000 new houses are in the pipeline. 

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Maintaining A Small Town Feel Amid A Commuter City Growth Spurt

Princeton city officials are wrangling with how to maintain the small-town feel of a city far from a small town, according to the Tribune. Rather, it is now a bedroom community with many residents commuting daily for work. Major national retailers like Walmart and chain restaurants have set up shop. Amid all the growth, city planners are keen to maintain a quality of life and nurture the city’s development. The Tribune says they have done this in part by using a $109 million bond program to improve the city’s parks. 

“We have the ability to dictate what future generations are going to enjoy in Princeton and frame that identity today,” City Manager Michael Mashburn told the Tribune. 

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