America's Fastest Growing Cities Revealed

With many of America's largest metros experiencing robust growth, Michael Sauter, Alexander Hess and Elisabeth Uible of 24/7 Wall St. have compiled a list of the fastest growing cities in the country.

1 minute read

July 24, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Emily Williams


The U.S. Census Bureau has released new demographic data for 2011, which offers valuable insight into how our country's cities are growing. Sauter, Hess and Uible analyzed employment statistics and "population change data for cities with populations of 250,000 or more" to reveal the top 10 fastest growing cities in the country.

New Orleans tops the list due to its population growth rate of 4.9 percent, "more than six times the national average of 0.73 percent," as well as its "significant growth in information jobs and education and health services, at 7 percent and 3.6 percent respectively."

The rest of the top 10 list is as follows:

2. Austin, TX

3. Plano, TX

4. Denver, CO

5. Raleigh, NC

6. Tampa, FL

7. Atlanta, GA

8. Washington, D.C.

9. Charlotte, NC

10. El Paso, TX

Sunday, July 22, 2012 in NBC News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

1 hour ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

3 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive