Texas is home to more than 28 million people, making it the second largest metropolitan state in the US. It is hardly surprising that there are three cities in this state with a population of one million or more, considering this astounding figure. San Antonio, with 1.4 million people; Dallas, with 1.3 million people; and Houston, with 2.2 million people, are the three most populated cities. There are 34 cities in this enormous state with a population of at least 100,000 (but less than one million), thus these are not the only significant cities it has to offer. There are 163 other cities with more than 10,000 residents.
List of Top 10 Largest Cities in Texas
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Austin
- El Paso
- Arlington
- Corpus Christi
- Plano
- Lubbock
1. Houston
Houston continues to be Texas’s largest city in terms of both population and land size as of 2024. With more than 2.3 million people, the city ranks fourth in terms of population in the US. Houston is around 665 square miles in size, highlighting its extensive urban and suburban dispersion.
Houston’s substantial size is indicative of its position as a major economic hub, home to sectors including aerospace, petroleum, and healthcare. With one of the most diverse populations in the nation, lively neighborhoods, and a wide range of culinary traditions, the city is renowned for its cultural richness as well. Houston’s significance in international trade is further highlighted by its close location to the Port of Houston, one of the busiest in the United States.
2. San Antonio
Having almost 1.5 million residents, San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas as of 2024. It now ranks as the sixth most populated city in the US. With more than 2.3 million inhabitants, Houston is still the largest city in Texas, but San Antonio is expanding gradually, gaining thousands of newcomers a year because of its strong labor market and reasonably priced housing.
San Antonio’s attraction to both families and companies contributes to its growth. It has a flourishing cultural scene, historic landmarks like the Alamo, and a quickly growing economy driven by industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Nearly two-thirds of the residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting the city’s tremendous cultural diversity.
Despite its steady increase, the city’s sheer population still lags behind Houston’s. Its growing popularity, however, emphasizes how important it is as a significant center in Texas and the country.
3. Dallas
Dallas remains one of Texas’ biggest and most vibrant cities in 2024 with a population of more than 1.3 million. Dallas is a major player in the state’s economic and cultural scene and is well-known for its thriving economy, diverse population, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The headquarters of several Fortune 500 firms are located there, making it a significant center for sectors including technology, banking, healthcare, and transportation. The city’s thriving economy draws professionals from all over the nation and the world, which fuels its continual expansion and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Dallas is renowned for its vibrant cultural and artistic landscape. Every year, millions of people visit places like the AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Dallas Museum of Art. With clubs like the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks, the city boasts an equally amazing sports culture that instills a strong feeling of community pride.
World-class food, shopping, and entertainment can be found in the city’s lively neighborhoods, which range from the busy Uptown region to the historic Bishop Arts District. Dallas continues to be a significant metropolitan powerhouse and an integral component of Texas’s character because of its thriving economy, cultural attractions, and growing infrastructure.
4. Fort Worth
Fort Worth is still expanding rapidly in 2024, solidifying its standing as one of the biggest cities in Texas. With around 996,756 residents, it is the fourth most populated in Texas. Its combination of economic opportunities, vibrant culture, and excellent standard of living is what propels this expansion. Fort Worth, which is well-known for its cattle trading history, has modernized without sacrificing its Western tradition. It is home to renowned institutions like the Kimbell Art Museum and iconic sites like the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Major businesses like Bell Textron, American Airlines, and Lockheed Martin contribute to the city’s economic success, and its growing Texas A&M University campus demonstrates its dedication to innovation and education.
Millions of people visit the area each year to take in its vast parklands, thriving arts scene, and big events like the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Access to first-rate transportation and infrastructure, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, is made possible by its advantageous position inside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
5. Austin
Austin is still one of the most vibrant cities in Texas. With a population of about 984,567, it is the fifth-largest city in Texas and the eleventh-largest in the US. It is the state capital and blends political importance with cultural energy. Austin, which is well-known for growing quickly, has grown by more than 45% since 2000, demonstrating its attraction as a center for the arts, education, and technology.
Often called the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin’s music festivals, such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits, draw a varied population of locals and visitors. The city is also known as “Silicon Hills” because of its thriving IT sector. The Texas Hill Country’s natural beauty, which includes Barton Springs and Lady Bird Lake, contributes to its appeal.
The San Antonio-Austin urban area, which serves more than five million people, includes Austin as a major factor. It is a unique city because of its unique combination of vibrant culture, abundant economic opportunities, and beautiful surroundings.
6. El Paso
El Paso, which covers more than 256 square miles, is the biggest city in Texas by land area and the sixth largest in terms of population as of 2024. More than 678,859 people live in El Paso, a quickly expanding and culturally vibrant metropolis that has long been overlooked by bigger metropolitan regions like Houston and Dallas. Sitting at the intersection of the U.S.-Mexico border, across from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, it has the unusual distinction of being a significant border city. The business, culture, and communal life of the area are influenced by its geographic location.
Due to its advantageous position, El Paso is a major trading center, especially for products traveling between the United States and Mexico. Fort Bliss, one of the biggest military installations in the United States, is located there, making it a significant military hub as well. The city’s economy has expanded to include industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and military.
The city’s attraction is increased by the existence of prestigious universities like the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
El Paso is a distinctive area to live, work, and travel because of its unique combination of Mexican and American culture, which is evident in its cuisine, festivals, and everyday life. Its thriving community keeps drawing businesses and inhabitants, which adds to its increasing importance in the state.
7. Arlington
Arlington is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas and the third-largest city in Tarrant County, home to almost 399,825 people. It has become a center for business, leisure, and education due to its advantageous position between Dallas and Fort Worth.
Arlington’s reputation as a major entertainment hub, supported by top-tier facilities like Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers) and AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), has a significant impact on the city’s economy. The tourism, retail, and hospitality industries have grown as a result of these icons, which welcome millions of tourists annually.
Aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and education are among the city’s diverse industries, and the University of Texas at Arlington supports regional innovation and research.
Despite not being the most populous city in Texas, Arlington is essential to the state’s cultural and economic life. It is a major participant in the larger Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and makes a substantial contribution to the overall expansion of the area thanks to its growing population, booming employment market, and entertainment sector.
8. Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is the county capital of Nueces County and is the eighth-biggest city in the state, home to over 316,105 people. Because of its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its bustling port, which is among the biggest in the United States, Corpus Christi, which is well-known for its coastal position and lively marine culture, serves as a center for sectors including oil refining, shipping, and tourism.
Major industries in the city’s diverse economy include healthcare, aerospace, and energy. Because it makes it easier to export commodities like crude oil and agricultural products, the Port of Corpus Christi is essential to the Texas economy.
The tourist sector in Corpus Christi is also thriving, with year-round visitors drawn to the area by sites like the adjacent Padre Island National Seashore, the USS Lexington Museum, and the Texas State Aquarium.
Corpus Christi is renowned for its thriving arts community, rich history, and outdoor recreation options, especially water sports. Although it is not the most populous city in Texas, Corpus Christi plays a major role on the state’s Gulf Coast due to its strategic position, economic significance, and high standard of living.
9. Plano
Plano, Texas, is a substantial portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the major metropolitan regions in the United States. Plano’s population is over 291,450, making it one of the major cities in Collin and Denton counties. Plano, known for its great schools, good quality of life, and business-friendly atmosphere, has become a popular destination for both households and professionals.
Many large firms, especially in the retail, financial, and technology industries, call Plano home. The city’s robust economy and low unemployment rate are a result of the diverse variety of businesses it has drawn, including the headquarters of well-known corporations like Toyota North America, JCPenney, and Ericsson. In addition to having a suburban atmosphere with lots of parks, recreational opportunities, and prestigious schools, its close proximity to Dallas makes it a great place for business.
Plano has become a very popular city to live and work in due to its quick expansion, strong economy, and first-rate amenities. Plano is a major metropolitan hub that contributes significantly to the economic and cultural environment of the region, while not having the greatest population in Texas.
10. Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas, has around 269,833 residents, making it the tenth biggest city in terms of population. Situated in the center of West Texas, Lubbock is referred to as the “Hub City” because of its pivotal role in local culture, education, and business. It is the economic hub of the South Plains and the county seat of Lubbock County.
Lubbock’s economy is broad, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and agriculture as its main sectors. A major contributor to the city’s economy and culture, Texas Tech University is one of the biggest public colleges in the state. It fosters innovation, research, and a constant flow of professionals and students. Lubbock is also a center for technical and medical developments, especially in health-related disciplines, because of the university.
The city is renowned for both its rich agricultural past, particularly in the manufacture of cotton, and its thriving music culture, particularly in the country and rock genres. Lubbock provides a combination of urban and rural lifestyles and has a comparatively inexpensive cost of living. Despite not being the biggest city in Texas, Lubbock is nonetheless a significant regional center that offers its citizens cultural attractions and economic prospects.
Conclusion
The biggest cities in Texas in 2024 highlight the economic might and variety of the state. The most populated city in Texas is Houston, which is followed by San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin, each of which makes a distinct cultural and economic contribution. Additionally important to regional prosperity are cities like Arlington, El Paso, and Fort Worth.
While inland cities like Plano and Lubbock act as hubs for business and education, coastal communities like Corpus Christi survive on marine trade and tourism. Texas’s vibrant blend of innovation, industry, and legacy is reflected in these cities. Together, they propel the state’s international prominence by drawing citizens, companies, and tourists with their booming economy, lively localities, and abundant prospects for development and high-quality living.
| Rank | City | Population (2024) |
| 1 | Houston | 2,319,119 |
| 2 | San Antonio | 1,513,974 |
| 3 | Dallas | 1,302,753 |
| 4 | Fort Worth | 996,756 |
| 5 | Austin | 984,567 |
| 6 | El Paso | 678,859 |
| 7 | Arlington | 399,825 |
| 8 | Corpus Christi | 316,105 |
| 9 | Plano | 291,450 |
| 10 | Lubbock | 269,833 |
FAQs
What are the Top 10 Largest Cities in Texas?
Here is the list of the top 10 largest cities in Texas:
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Austin
- El Paso
- Arlington
- Corpus Christi
- Plano
- Lubbock
Which City is the Largest in Texas?
Houston is Texas’s largest city in terms of both population and land size as of 2024. With more than 2.3 million people, the city ranks fourth in terms of population in the US.
Who is Wealthier, Houston or Dallas?
It is not the only city in Texas to appear on the list. With 90,900 millionaires, Houston surpasses Dallas as the fifth wealthiest city in Texas, United States, while Austin comes in at number 10 with 32,700 millionaires.
Is Europe Smaller than Texas?
Europe is over 3.9 million square miles, while Texas is about 269 thousand square miles.
Which State in the US has the Most Cities?
California is home to more big cities than any other state in the union and accounts for a double-digit portion of all major cities in the United States.
