Fulshear is the fastest growing city in the Houston area and in Texas, according to 2020 Census data released earlier this month. The western suburb saw its population grow by 1,386.42% from 2010 to 2020.
One Houston-area suburb has seen an explosion in population growth over the last decade, with several other northern and western cities also climbing to the top of the list of fastest-growing areas in Houston.
The top five cities for growth include Fulshear at No. 1, followed by Magnolia at 69.35%, Shenandoah at 63.96%, Conroe at 60.04% and Katy at 55.25%, according to a Houston Chronicle Census data analysis of 21 Houston-area cities.
Fulshear officials previously told the Chronicle they credit the city's school districts, commitment to helping businesses thrive, transportation projects that have eased commutes, proximity to energy industry jobs and the area's “small-town feel" as reasons why it has boomed in population.
These Houston suburbs far outpaced the city itself, which saw a nearly 10 percent increase in population growth. Of the 21 cities analyzed, only one saw a decrease in population growth: Stafford recoded a 1.5% decrease. Houston remains the fourth-largest city in the U.S., still trailing behind Chicago.
The Asian population contributed the most to Fulshear's growth, with a 9,848% increase. The Hispanic population saw a 1,586% increase.
Conroe saw a 554% increase in its Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population.
Fulshear tops other Houston-area cities in population growth
Percent change in population by race/ethnicity, 2010 to 2020.
It's important to note that due to COVID and other reasons, this year's Census may be under-representing some marginalized groups that could be at risk of losing federal funding for assistance programs, schools, infrastructure repairs and fair government representation. About 59% of Houston households responded to the Census; 63% responded across the state and 67% responded nationally, the Houston Chronicle reported.