Article Excerpt
Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Learn about a few up-and-coming neighborhoods in Texas’ largest cities.
Texas has grown at a remarkable rate in recent decades and shows no signs of slowing down. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Texas surpassed 30 million people at some point around March 2023. It is the second-most-populous state in the country after California. From 2000 to 2022, Texas had the largest increase in population of any state, gaining over 9 million new residents. About half of that increase was due to births in the state. The other half was people moving here from elsewhere — about 29% from within the U.S. and 21% from other countries. Most people who move here settle in cities or suburbs, resulting in massive growth in the largest Texas metropolitan areas.
Read more: Texas’ Top 8 Most Expensive Zip Codes
» READ MORE: Texas’ Top 8 Most Expensive Zip Codes
Photo by Justin Jensen on Wikimedia Commons [Creative Commons]
Mid $300’s – Westgate, Austin
Travis County didn’t make the Census Bureau’s list of fastest-growing counties, but other parts of the Austin metropolitan area did. Hays and Williamson Counties rank among the fastest-growing counties in the country. Austin regularly appears on lists of fastest-growing cities.
Many new neighborhoods are springing up to the north, east, and south of Austin, but one of the city’s best up-and-coming neighborhoods has actually been around since the 1950s. Westgate is located on the southwest side of town, just south of State Highway 71 and east of Loop 1 (aka Mopac). It provides quick access to most parts of Austin, including downtown and numerous parks. Home prices vary widely, but there are an abundance of condo units for sale within the mid $300’s.
Photo by Marco Becerra on Flickr [Creative Commons]
High $200’s – Design District, Dallas
The Metroplex has seen remarkable rates of growth in recent years. The Census Bureau reports that, from 2000 to 2022, Collin Denton, and Kaufman Counties all saw their populations more than double. Rockwall County’s population almost tripled. With growth of 182%, it is the second-fastest-growing county in the nation. Tarrant County gained 700,000 residents, the state’s second-largest numerical increase after Harris County.
The Design District, located just west of downtown Dallas, changed rather gradually from an inexpensive warehouse district to a trendy neighborhood with the highest concentration of art galleries in the city. As warehouses began to close down, restaurants and apartments took over those spaces. Antique stores and art galleries started to move in. Eventually, the area came to feature a chic collection of lofts and high-rises where rents and home prices range from reasonable to extravagant.
You’ll find upscale condos for sale in this artsy part of town starting in the high $200K range, which is pretty exciting for new homebuyers.
Photo by Ed Schipul on Flickr [Creative Commons]
$600’s – Houston: Sunset Heights
According to the Census Bureau, Harris County gained over 1.3 million residents during the period from 2000 to 2022, the biggest increase of any Texas county and the second-biggest nationwide. This isn’t surprising, considering that it was already the most populous county in the state.
Founded over a century ago in 1910, Sunset Heights is part of the historic area known as the Heights. Its location near I-10 and Memorial Drive gives residents easy access to downtown Houston, the Medical Center, and other parts of town. In a city known for its suburban sprawl, the Heights area has gained a reputation for its “small town” feel. People are much more likely to know their neighbors, and streets often feature sidewalks. It’s composed of lots of townhomes and condos which tend to fetch premium prices, with many in the mid $600’s.
Photo by Jruizalvarez on Wikimedia Commons [Creative Commons]
$300’s –San Antonio: Blue Ridge Ranch
The Census Bureau ranks Bexar County third in population growth from 2000 to 2022, with a gain of nearly 661,000 residents. San Antonio regularly ranks high on lists of fastest-growing cities. Neighboring Comal County also ranks among the country’s fastest-growing areas.
While San Antonio is one of Texas’ oldest cities, it also has many new neighborhoods and communities that welcome newcomers to the city. Blue Ridge Ranch is a new construction community on the southeast side of town, located just outside Loop 410 and close to U.S. Highway 87. The location offers quick access to downtown San Antonio, as well as Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base. New four-bedroom homes are being built in the $300’s and new three-bedroom homes are starting in the high $200’s.
Ready to jump on an opportunity?
Texas continues to grow as more and more people choose to make their homes here. Whether you are new to the state or born-and-raised, you can find a home in Texas, too. The mortgage professionals at the Wood Group of Fairway are here to help. We’ll estimate your monthly house payments and happily explain any questions you have, no matter how small or elementary they may seem. Get started on your free mortgage pre-approval today by answering a few questions!
