Recently released census data shows that large numbers of Americans are flocking to small Texas towns for a fresh start, including the fastest-growing city in America: Celina.
In addition to Celina, Texas is home to eight of the 15 fastest-growing cities with populations of 20,000 or more. Celina, a small city in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, took first place.
Celina had a population of around 17,000 when the 2020 census was taken. Now, the city’s population has more than doubled to more than 43,000 to December 2023.
Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said the new york post That small cities like Celina often top lists of fastest population growth because their smaller size makes it easier for them to experience large percentage changes.
“The percentage growth is a good reflection of how significant a change locals are likely to experience,” Hale said.
In the photo: Children watch from behind a fence as a man fights with an alligator.
People dance and celebrate at the Cajun Fest in Celina, Texas
A city sign in Celina, Texas
But given that the average price of a home in Celina is approximately $680,000It’s safe to say that people who move there aren’t looking for cheap housing.
In fact, the median list price of a home in nearby Dallas is 29 percent cheaper: just $479,000.
Rather, Celina’s newcomers are probably there for the hour-long drive to Dallas, its well-ranked schools and low crime rates.
Celina is also quite cultural in its own right, known for hosting festivals full of good food and attractions.
Its downtown plaza hosted its annual Cajun Festival this past weekend, billing the event as the ‘Biggest Crawfish Boil in North Texas.’
The event was complete with live alligator shows, a family carnival and a live performance by country star Aaron Watson.
And, of course, thousands of pounds of fresh crab for residents and passersby alike to enjoy.
The general manager of popular Cajun joint Bongo Beaux’s was there for all the action, NBC Dallas Forth Worth. reported.
“Every year we see more people come through our doors,” he said on the eve of last year’s Cajun Fest.
Fulshear, also in Texas, was just behind Celina in population growth and has also driven up home prices. Expect to pay $519,000 for a median home.
Fulshear’s 25.6 percent surge between July 2022 and July 2023 can be attributed in part to its proximity to Houston, which is an hour away.
But cities like Celina and Fulshear have a big tax advantage over other states with high income taxes like California or New York.
“A lot of companies are moving here for tax reasons and there are no income taxes,” said Wendy Flynn, who works at the Texas real estate firm Keller Williams.
“And there are a variety of communities to live in, whether it’s a bustling metropolitan area or a charming small town,” Flynn added.
Princeton, Texas, was the third fastest growing city with a median home price of $350,000, and Anna, Texas, ranked fourth with a median home price of $427,500.
The only California state to appear on the list was Lathrop, with home prices routinely exceeding $700,000.
However, real estate in Texas is also becoming expensive in certain areas.
Look no further than the ninth fastest growing city: Prosper, Texas. A median home there could cost nearly $920,000.
Ten minutes south of Celina, Prosper is a little closer to Dallas and Fort Worth.
“These neighboring cities (Fort Worth to Dallas) offer a lot of new construction in all price ranges,” Cindy Allen, an agent in Southlake, Texas, told the Post.
In terms of gross numerical increases from July 2022 to July 2023, midsize Texas cities also took the cake.
San Antonio and Fort Worth each added more than 21,000 people during this period, while the largest US city, New York, lost almost 78,000 residents in 2023.