Lloyd Potter
Texas State Demographer

Natural change for Texas counties, 2020-2022

Natural change in Texas, like in many other regions, plays a vital role in shaping its demographic landscape. The state's population growth has been fueled by natural increase, where the number of births typically exceeds the number of deaths. Between 2020-2022, natural increase was observed in the major metropolitan areas and the surrounding suburban counties, where the working-age population is seeking job opportunities and starting their families. However, with the decline in fertility rates and the aging population in Texas, 152 out of the 254 counties experienced natural decline, with deaths exceeding births. As a result, the driving force behind population growth has shifted more towards domestic migration with individuals moving within the state or from other states to Texas.

Graph showing Pandemic, Texas Population Growth Ranks High in the U.S.