Discover The Largest Cities In Texas

Texas's vast landscape is home to a whopping 30,029,572 people. Only preceded by California, Texas is the second-most populous state in the United States. Spanning so much land, Texas boasts an incredible variety of cultures, traditions, and economic substrates. From the classic Tex-Mex cuisine, one can enjoy in San Antonio to the annual State Fair of Texas in Dallas or the thriving art scene of Downtown Plano Arts District in Plano, every city in Texas can provide action for every taste. According to the latest 2022 population estimate by the U.S. Census, these are the ten biggest cities in Texas.

Top 10 Biggest Cities In Texas

Houston - 2,302,878

Houston is a large metropolis in Texas' southeast, washed by the Burnet Bay and close to the Gulf of Mexico. With 2,302,878 residents, Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth in the United States. Nicknamed the "Bayou City," "Space City," or "H-Town," Houston has been described as the most diversified metropolitan area with the most ethnically and racially diverse major city in the U.S., beating New York and Los Angeles in this regard. Houston is also home to many prominent companies, including energy giant Phillips 66, which had $175.7 billion in revenue in 2022, and large food distributor Sysco, with Walmart as the top employer in the city. The Texas Medical Center is so big that it surpasses the Dallas Downtown Historic District area, hosting over 50 medicine-related institutions and 21 hospitals. Furthermore, Houston is home to one of the most famous NASA Space Centers, the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where the NASA Astronaut Corps resides.

San Antonio - 1,472,909

Founded as a Spanish colonial outpost in 1718, the city in 1731 became the first civil settlement in present-day Texas. Today, San Antonio is a city in and the county seat of Bexar County, the second-largest city in Texas and the seventh-largest city in the United States. As per the latest U.S. Census estimate, San Antonio is home to 1,472,909 people. The major ethnic groups in the city are Hispanic or Latino at 63.9%, non-Hispanic White at 23.4%, Black at 6.5%, Asian at 3.2%, and others with the remaining 3%. San Antonio, well-known for its magnificent Spanish colonial missions and the battle surrounding one of them, is hugely popular with history buffs. Visitors often enjoy classic Tex-Mex cuisine or other Texan delicacies like BBQ specialties or simpler farm-to-market food. San Antonio also has the largest concentration of Spanish colonial architecture in North America. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it includes five 18th-century missions like the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which attracts flocks of people every year.

Dallas - 1,299,544

Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the United States and the third-largest city in Texas, with an estimated population of 1,299,544. As the seat of Dallas County in north Texas, the city of Dallas has long been an important economic center and a hub of commerce. Dallas has a diverse economy, with Walmart, American Airlines, and Texas Health Resources as the top employers. One of Dallas's most popular events is the annual State Fair of Texas at Fair Park, which has been running since 1886. Estimates are that it brings over $3.5 million to the local economy annually. 

Austin - 974,447

A cultural hub for live music and an alternative arts scene, it's no surprise that Austin is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting cities to visit in the United States. The 974,447 forward-thinking people make Austin the Capital and fourth largest city in Texas, as well as recently entering the top ten in the U.S. Austin is a city that proclaims itself to be nonconformist with the "keep Austin weird" motto spread among locals to promote small independent businesses. Thanks to countless hi-tech companies like Dell, Apple, Google, and Tesla, the Austin region earned the "Silicon Hills" nickname in the 1990s. The city is also home to the University of Texas (U.T. at Austin), bringing the best talent in, and therefore, is at the heart of a thriving innovation and research ecosystem. 

Forth Worth - 956,709

Fort Worth is the fifth largest city in the state, known for Texas hospitality and many remarkable districts full of culture and entertainment—a connected downtown with the 37-block Sundance Square entertainment district. The stunning museums of the Cultural District, Fort Worth Zoo, and the nearby Botanic Garden attract the most attention. As the seat of Tarrant County, Forth Worth lies at the confluence of the Trinity River forks and constitutes the western portion of the Dallas–Fort Worth urban area, locally known as the Metroplex. Additionally, Forth Worth has a significant economy in the transport sector, with American Airlines, BNSF Railway, and Bell Flight employing a large part of the 956,709 Forth Worth citizens.

El Paso - 677,456

The largest of the U.S.-Mexican border cities, El Paso, lies at the foot of the Franklin Mountains below a narrow pass where the Rio Grande issues from spurs of the Rocky Mountains. El Paso provides a unique blend of Mexican and American cultures. With an estimated population of about 677,456 sunny people, El Paso is the sixth city in Texas in terms of size. All El Paso residents enjoy a warm climate, a strong sense of community, and a lower cost of living than other major cities in Texas. The stunning desert landscape also attracts tourists to, for example, the Franklin Mountains State Park, which offers outdoor activities like hiking. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is by far the predominant in the city, with a whopping 81.2%, thanks to its vicinity to the border. 

Arlington - 394,602

Arlington is the 7th-largest city in Texas, central to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and home to roughly 394,602 people. The town provides a relatively low cost of living compared to other cities in Texas. Thanks to two cutting-edge sports stadiums, AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and the Globe Life Park (once home to Texas Rangers, who now play at Globe Life Field), Arlington is consistently becoming one of the best destinations to visit for sports enthusiasts and more. Arlington is also home to the University of Texas (U.T. at Arlington), a major urban research university, forming many successful graduates yearly. The Arlington Assembly Plant, used by General Motors, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV, Texas Health Resources, and Mensa International, are other big companies and associations that make Arlington relevant nationally and internationally.

Corpus Christi - 316,239

Corpus Christi, from Latin, "Body of Christ," is a major city along the South Texas coast. The city's population is estimated to be 316,239 in 2022, making it the eighth largest in the state. The name refers to the Holy Communion and was given to the settlement and surrounding bay by Spanish and Christian explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519. The Port of Corpus Christi officially opened in 1926, and its Naval Air Station was commissioned in 1941. Today, Corpus Christ stays consistent with its Navy heritage, and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is still active as one of two locations training primary student pilots and expert pilots of the U.S. Navy, US Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard. The beaches are crowded all year round with tourists and locals who come to swim or sunbathe. Another popular attraction is the nearby State Aquarium of Texas, where visitors are eager to meet dolphins, sea turtles, and even bald eagles rescued and cared for there.

Plano - 289,547

Just 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, Plano is a family-friendly Texas city that caters to visitors of all stripes. Tourism is a big part of Plano's economy, with more than 40 hotels and over 800 diverse restaurants. Food is also prominent, thanks to many large companies, such as Frito Lay, JCPenney, and Pizza Hut, as the major players in the city. Plano also has an active arts scene; the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District is where visitors find galleries, boutiques, and independent restaurants, all within walking distance of the famous Haggard Park. The 289,547 light-minded people make Plano the ninth biggest city in Texas.

Lubbock - 263,930

Lubbock was part of Comancheria in 1867, the shifting domain controlled by the Comanche natives. In 1876, Lubbock County was founded and named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock, brother of Francis Lubbock, governor of Texas during the Civil War. The small town that once hosted just a few settlers is now home to 263,930 people and is the tenth most populous city in Texas. Texas Tech University (formerly known as Texas Technological College) is the leading educational institution boasting the National Ranching Heritage Center and a museum on its campus. Furthermore, The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and other cutting-edge hospitals have made Lubbock a region's medical care hub. 

Texas is a big, bold, and, therefore, diverse state. It is no surprise that the top three are also mentioned in the top ten in the Country. With a dense population, unique cowboy culture, thriving art scenes, and Southern charm, every city has its complete ecosystem. From the University of Texas at Austin in Austin to the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, or the unique blend of Mexican and American cultures of El Paso, these Texan cities fulfill every citizen's need. So, discover Texas's multifaceted lands, diverse heritage, and sweeping natural scenery.

Top 30 Largest Cities In Texas