Why More Than 1,000 People a Day Are Still Choosing Texas

Texas is still growing fast. Census estimates show the state added 391,243 residents from July 2024 to July 2025, roughly 1,070 people per day. That was the largest numeric population increase of any state in the country.

Why are people still choosing Texas? There is no single answer. For some, it is the opportunity to own a home or buy more property. A 2026 California Policy Lab study found people leaving California moved to areas where housing costs averaged $672 less per month, and seven years later they were 48 percent more likely to own a home than people who stayed. Texas is not cheap everywhere, but it gives buyers a huge range of options, from Austin condos and suburban homes to acreage around Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Blanco, Johnson City, and the Texas Hill Country.

Then there is lifestyle. Texas gives you major job markets, small towns, ranches, lakes, the Gulf Coast, mountains, barbecue, Friday night football, and communities where people still put down roots. You can change your entire lifestyle without leaving the state.

Texas has problems. Property taxes are real, summers are hot, traffic can be miserable, and rapid growth is pressuring infrastructure. But people continue coming because Texas gives them options to own something, build something, and find a place that feels like home.

If you are buying, selling, or evaluating property in Central Texas, you can learn more at https://chrispesek.com, email chris@drippingspringshometeam.com, or call 512-736-1703. Chris Pesek is a Texas Hill Country Realtor specializing in land, acreage, and custom homes. He has helped hundreds of clients across Central Texas and is recognized as a Top 2 Percent Producer with dozens of five-star reviews.

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