North Central Texas added more than 203,000 residents in 2025, pushing the region’s population to nearly 9 million people, according to newly released estimates from the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
The new estimates show the 16-county region reached a population of 8,952,590 as of Jan. 1, 2026.
Officials said growth remained especially strong across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including major gains in Collin County, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Celina.
“This level of sustained growth continues to shape nearly every aspect of life in North Central Texas, from housing and transportation to infrastructure and public services,” said Sarah Jackson. “Reliable local data helps communities plan for the future and better understand how quickly the region is evolving.”
Among the report’s findings:
- Fort Worth added 22,722 residents, the largest increase among regional cities.
- Dallas added 17,564 residents and surpassed 1.4 million total residents.
- Celina added 16,813 residents and ranked third in both total population growth and growth percentage.
- Plano surpassed 300,000 residents.
- Collin County led all counties with 64,703 new residents.
- Lowry Crossing was the region’s fastest-growing city with a 45.2% increase.
The report also found the region added 42,582 multifamily housing units and 42,445 single-family homes during the year.
Officials noted the regional population center continues shifting northward and slightly eastward as suburban growth accelerates.
Since 1974, NCTCOG has produced annual population estimates for communities across North Central Texas using housing inventory data, occupancy rates, and information supplied by local governments.
“By providing consistent, data-driven estimates each year, NCTCOG helps local governments make informed decisions that support a sustainable future for the entire North Central Texas region,” said Todd Little. “This work reflects the mission to strengthen regional cooperation and provide planning resources that help our communities thrive.”
NCTCOG officials also explained that their estimates differ slightly from those released by the United States Census Bureau because the two organizations use different methodologies and reference dates.
The full report and interactive population data are available through the NCTCOG Open Data Portal.
