talent-workforce
Economy at a Glance – April 2025
In this issue of Glance, the Partnership examines Houston's strong population growth in '24. The newsletter also summarizes benchmark revisions to last year's employment numbers.
Published on 04/17/2025
Key April Takeaways
Here are the facts to know about the Houston region this month
April Takeaway #1
Metro Houston added almost 200,000 residents last year to bring its population to 7.8 million.
April Takeaway #2
Houston was the second-fastest growing major metro, with migration driving most of the increase.
April Takeaway #3
The region added slightly fewer jobs last year than first reported.
POPULATION GROWTH
Metro Houston added nearly 200,000 residents in ’24, bringing its population to 7.8 million people. That’s Houston’s largest increase on record and equates to a new resident every 2.7 minutes. Last year continued a trend of brisk growth, with the region adding over one million people during the previous decade. Population in the 10-county region now exceeds that of 37 states, along with Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Race and Ethnicity
Houston ranked second in the number of residents added in ‘24 behind New York City. It added more residents than Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth, even though they each have larger populations.
At 2.5 percent, Houston also had the second-highest population growth rate among major metros, trailing only Orlando. It grew more than twice as quickly as the U.S. overall. While all of the top 20 largest metros recorded population increases, only Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and Orlando saw their populations grow at a rate above 2.0 percent.
Sources of Population Growth
Houston’s gains came from two sources—natural increase and net migration. Natural increase reflects births minus deaths in the region. Net migration includes people who moved into Houston minus those who moved out. Three-quarters of Houston’s gains came from migration and one-quarter from natural increase. The ratio has been stable over the last three years. But, over the long term, it does shift with the business cycle. Migration accounts for a larger share of growth when the region’s economy booms (as it has since the COVID-19 recovery) and a smaller share when it slows (like in ’17 and ’18).
Net Migration
Metro Houston ranked first in net migration among all U.S. metros in ’24. Each of the top 20 largest metros had positive migration in ‘24, i.e., more residents moving into them than out of them.
Note: The geographic area referred to in this publication as “Houston,” "Houston Area” and “Metro Houston” is the ten-county Census designated metropolitan statistical area of Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX. The ten counties are: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller.
More Insight & Analysis
Talent/Workforce | October 22, 2025
UpSkill Works: Building Connections Across Education and Industry
To create an agile and dynamic talent ecosystem, relationships between higher education institutions and business must flourish. But, first, you have to meet. The Partnership is a place of convening; a place to forge connections that transform the economic landscape and talent possibilities. Join us for an opportunity to share your role in the workforce development ecosystem and explore synergies across higher education and industry. The program will begin with speed networking, then transition to cross-collaboration table talks.
Talent/Workforce | October 6, 2025
HYPE | A Conversation with Maria Fassi
Thank you to RSM US LLP, we are excited for HYPE members to join us for a special addition to the HYPE series. Join us for A Conversation with Maria Fassi on Monday, October 6 at Partnership Tower.
Talent/Workforce | September 25, 2025
HYPE | Going Off Book: Owning Your Pitch
Develop your presence, delivery, and authenticity to transition your lines from the book to the stage. Whether an elevator pitch, sales pitch, project kickoff meeting, negotiation counter, or facilitating a group discussion, rehearsing out loud is essential preparation to own the spotlight.
Key January Takeaways
Patrick Jankowski, CERP
Senior Vice President, Research
713-844-3616
Get more in-depth analysis from the Partnership team with a Membership.
