City projections forecast that Austin's population could increase to 1.1 million in 2030 and to more than 1.6 million in 2060. At the same time, forecasts for the metropolitan area as a whole are 2.8 million by 2030 and more than 4.3 million by 2060, 3 days ago. According to the census, it seems that Texas and Austin are still growing, but that data is a bit behind schedule. Do you think Austin is still growing, or do you think there really is an influx that could continue until it becomes an exodus?Even so, economic leaders in Austin plan to advocate for similar water supply initiatives next year, according to Ed Latson, executive director of Opportunity Austin, an economic development organization.
San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are among the 10 most populated cities in the country, and two-thirds of Texans live in these metropolitan areas. While local governments and chambers of commerce across the region are addressing these issues, Cisneros added that Texas still lacks an overall plan to support the rapid urbanization of the Austin-San Antonio region. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land was located just behind Austin as the second fastest-growing large metropolitan area, according to forecasts. The Texas Department of Transportation plans to begin expanding I-35 through Austin in late 2025, but expanding the highway will ultimately only attract more cars and traffic to the region, Cisneros said.
With a projected population growth rate of 13.55 percent (the highest of all metropolitan areas), that means Austin's population over the next five years could increase to more than 2.7 million people. With the Austin and San Antonio regions expected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050, economic leaders and developers in Texas say that investing in efficient transportation, affordable housing and sustainable water sources will be key to supporting that population increase.
