Charlotte Leads Nation in Population Growth as Large Cities See Decline
Charlotte topped the nation with over 20,000 new residents while major cities like New York and Los Angeles saw population drops in the latest Census data.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Mid-sized southern cities led population growth across the United States between mid-2024 and mid-2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released May 14. Charlotte, North Carolina saw the largest increase with 20,731 new residents, while large immigrant-rich cities that had major gains the previous year experienced population declines.
Fort Worth, Texas ranked second with 19,512 new residents, followed by the Dallas suburb of Celina, Texas with 12,710 additional people, and Seattle with 11,572 new residents. This data marks a shift from the previous year when large metropolitan areas saw the most growth.
Affordable Housing Drives Charlotte’s Growth
Charlotte’s population surge aligns with the city’s focus on affordable housing initiatives. The city opened a 72-unit building on the site of a former mall in late 2024, designed for older adults and people with incomes ranging from 30% to 80% of the area’s median income, which was approximately $82,000 at the time.
This housing development is part of Charlotte’s broader strategy to manage population growth while maintaining affordability for residents across income levels.
Major Population Losses in Large Cities
New York City experienced a significant reversal, dropping from the nation’s leader in population growth between mid-2023 and mid-2024 with an increase of 162,991 people to last place with a decrease of 12,196 residents in the most recent period.
Other major cities also saw population declines. Memphis, Tennessee lost 4,575 people, Los Angeles dropped 3,621 residents, St. Louis decreased by 2,301, and Albuquerque, New Mexico lost 2,290 people. Los Angeles had ranked seventh nationally the previous year with an increase of 24,421 residents before falling to third-to-last in the recent estimates.
Immigration Patterns Shape Population Shifts
The changes in New York City’s population reflect revised growth figures for 2022-2024 that account for increased immigration, particularly from asylum seekers. Some of these immigrants were transported from Texas as part of interstate transfer programs.
The population data indicates a broader national trend where mid-sized cities in the South are attracting residents while traditional large metropolitan centers face outmigration. This shift suggests changing preferences for housing affordability, cost of living, and quality of life factors among Americans choosing where to live.
The Census Bureau estimates provide a comprehensive picture of population changes across American cities, tracking both domestic migration patterns and international immigration trends that shape community growth and development.
