The Suburban Tale of Texas Growth

The state of Texas is expected to double its population between 2010 and 2050. Just how, though, is worthy of more scrutiny.

1 minute read

June 1, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Texas Suburb

SoleilC / Shutterstock

According to an article by Jill Cowan, "while Texas’ largest cities continued to add tens of thousands of residents last year, it’s the suburbs that are seeing the most marked transformation."

The article quotes Steve Murdock, former head of the U.S. census and current director of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas at Rice University, who describes the story of Texas' population growth as a story of the I-35 corridor: "You start at the Oklahoma border, then there’s a few miles in between before you hit the suburbs of Dallas … through Waco to the Austin suburbs that now run really with no gaps between Austin and San Antonio."

The article digs into the demographic details of the state's growth, as well as a hidden fact among the typical Texas narratives: more than a quarter of the state's cities decline din population in the first five years of this decade. Most "are in rural areas hit hard by consolidation in the agriculture industry," according to Cowan.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in The Dallas Morning 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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.