Today, Texas is known for its booming population. That’s why it’s become a draw for people all over the country – and world.
But this recent boom didn’t happen overnight.
Historical U.S. census data from 1790 shows Virginia (821,287), Massachusetts (475,199) and Pennsylvania (433,611) were the three most populated U.S. states. By 1820, New York (1,372,812) had overtaken Pennsylvania (1,049,458) and Virginia (974,622) for the top spot.
But growth shifted westward from the first 13 states following the development of the Erie Canal in 1835.
Throughout the rest of the 19th century, people from New York and New England fled to upper Midwest states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In fact these states grew so much that they became known as the “New England of the West.” By 1880, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa had a combined estimated population of more than one million residents.
While the Midwest was booming, the Republic of Texas was still in its infancy. In 1836, President Andrew Jackson sent State Department Clerk Henry M. Morfit to Texas to collect information on the republic’s population, strength and ability to maintain independence.
Morfit reported Texas had nearly 53,000 people living in the new republic, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
The 28th U.S. state, though, grew quickly in the late 19th century.
Between 1880 and 1900, Texas nearly doubled from 1,591,749 people to 3,048,710 people. The increase was fueled both by natural growth as well as immigration from Germany and Mexico.
In the early 20th century, California’s population began steadily increasing until it passed New York to be the most populous state in 1962 at 18,421,864 people. By the early 1990s, Texas became the second most populous state in the U.S. at 18,769,382.
Since then, Texas has been racing for the top spot.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lone Star State continues to grow at an exponential rate attracting both residents from other states and international migrants. Texas has also demonstrated a unique ability to retain most of its native citizens.
In 2023, there were more than 30 million people living in Texas, becoming only the second state to do so. From 2000 to 2022 alone, Texas gained 9,085,073 million residents.
By its 200th birthday in 2036, Texas is expected to gain roughly three million to five million more residents. By 2050, Texas will comprise 11% of the U.S. population. And by 2060, it could have up to 44 million residents, making it the fastest growing state in the nation.
For more information on Texas’ population growth, visit the data here.
