- Sun Belt metros like Ocala and Myrtle Beach posted the highest population growth rates in the US.
- Large Southern cities drove the biggest numeric gains, led by Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Major coastal metros like New York and Los Angeles lagged or lost population over the same period.
- Population growth patterns now differ sharply across the US, with the Sun Belt dominating momentum.
Strong Momentum for Sun Belt Cities
Globe St reports that according to new US Census Bureau data, despite just 0.5% national population growth, Sun Belt metros are outpacing most other regions. Smaller cities such as Ocala, FL (up 3.4%), Myrtle Beach, SC (3.2%), and Spartanburg, SC posted the largest percentage increases. In absolute terms, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth led with gains of over 120,000 residents each.
Why It Matters for CRE
The Sun Belt surge carries significant implications for commercial real estate, especially in multifamily, retail, and industrial sectors. These growth patterns suggest ongoing demand for space and infrastructure in cities such as Atlanta, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Austin—all of which ranked among top metros for numeric growth. Smaller Sun Belt cities, though less prominent, now drive a larger share of regional momentum. This population inflow is already translating into stronger rental absorption and sustained investor appetite for apartments across many of these same markets.
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Big Market Disparities
Growth remains highly uneven. While the New York metro area remains the nation’s largest with 20.1M residents, it grew by just 0.2%. Los Angeles and Miami both posted population declines. Border metros such as Laredo, Yuma, and El Centro also saw sharp slowdowns or losses. These trends underscore shifting migration and business priorities favoring the Sun Belt, a pattern shaping CRE strategy for investors and developers alike.
What’s Next
Prolonged Sun Belt growth is likely to influence site selection for new development and investment decisions. As demographic momentum continues to shift, CRE professionals are expected to prioritize markets where infrastructure and business-friendly climates support ongoing expansion. Continued monitoring of US Census and RealPage data will be crucial for capturing future real estate opportunities in both established and emerging Sun Belt metros.
