Introduction to Collin County’s Growth
Collin County’s fast-paced growth is altering the region at break-neck speed, transforming the suburbs north of Dallas into a booming hub for people, business and development. Here are 10 numbers that help us understand how the county has changed and show where the growth is headed.
Related
Population Growth
2.2 Million People
Breaking News
By 2060, the county’s population is expected to nearly double to more than 2.2 million residents assuming migration rates hold steady, according to projections by the Texas Demographic Center.
Fastest-Growing Cities
3 Cities
Three Collin County cities – Princeton, Celina and Anna – were listed among the country’s five fastest-growing cities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
30.6% Growth Rate
Princeton, the country’s fastest-growing city, had a growth rate of 30.6% between July 2023 and July 2024, according to the U.S. Census. The Collin County city’s population has more than doubled from roughly 17,000 in 2020 to an estimated 37,000.
Related
Diversity and Housing
22% Increase in Asian American Population
As the region has grown, so has its diversity. Texas had the largest increase in the nation of its Asian American population between 2022 and 2023, gaining over 91,000 residents of Asian descent, according to a report by Austin-based nonprofit Asian Texans for Justice.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area accounted for nearly 44,000 of that increase, with nearly 20,000, or almost 22% of those new residents, in Collin County. The county had had the largest county-level increase in Asian Americans in the nation, the nonprofit reported.
21 Days: Home Supply
In 2021, the county had a 0.7-month supply of homes, about 21 days — meaning all listings would have sold in under a month at the pace buyers were purchasing — compared to the six months usually seen in a balanced market, according to Collin County Area Realtors, now merged with the MetroTex Association of Realtors.
Properties were snapped up within days, often for above the asking price. Things have improved. In February of this year, Collin County had a roughly three-month supply of homes. But even as the inventory grows, most homes are priced out of the reach of first-time buyers.
$525,000: Median Listing Price
The median listing price for housing in Collin County was more than $525,000 in August, according to data published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Housing affordability for first-time home-buyers in Collin County is worse than in Dallas and Denton counties, according to Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Research Center. Median family income in Collin County, which the U.S. Census Bureau reported as $146,400 in 2024, is not sufficient to buy a median-priced home, the center found.
Economic and Demographic Projections
2050: Projected Growth
Collin County will see growth that rivals “several entire U.S. states” by the year 2050, according to the North Texas Technology and Economic Impact report, produced by the Texas Association of Business.
$3.1 Billion: Traffic Delays
By next year, traffic delays across the county are expected to account for $3.1 billion of lost time annually or about $2,500 per person. As more people and vehicles move to Collin County, road congestion is expected to triple by 2050, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Related
$15 Billion: Road Improvements
Even with $15 billion in planned road improvements over the next 25 years – including tollway expansions and widening projects along Spur 399 and U.S. 75 – the cost of road congestion in Collin County could reach $9.5 billion in lost time annually, or about $4,400 per person, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Education and Infrastructure
11 Campuses
Earlier this year, voters in the Celina school district approved a $2.3 billion bond measure to help build 11 new campuses. Meanwhile, Plano closed four campuses this year, citing declining enrollment.
For school districts across Collin County, predicting enrollment trends and planning for a future full of unknowns is a hurdle for administrators that can lead to difficult decisions to consolidate campuses and move students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Collin County is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected population of over 2.2 million by 2060. The county is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the country, including Princeton, Celina, and Anna. The region is also becoming more diverse, with a significant increase in the Asian American population. However, the growth has also brought challenges, including traffic congestion and unaffordable housing. The county is investing in road improvements and education infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing population.
