TEMPLE, Texas — New U.S. Census data shows Central Texas towns are overall growing at a steady pace but one city added more than 10,000 people to their count comparing 2023 Census data to 2020.
According to the new report, Temple had 82,652 people counted in 2020. In 2023, that number jumped to 93,095.
"What I love about Temple the most is I believe it's a town of opportunity," said Mayor Tim Davis.
Mayor Davis says jobs and available housing have attracted new growth.
"It's a place where people can come here to build their family, educate their kids, build homes and really build a sustainable life right here in Temple," said Davis.
Davis says the impact of the population growth is substantial.
"We have a lot of developments that are coming in," he said. "It's great but at the same time the city of Temple has to put infrastructure out there to serve those homes.
Other Central Texas cities also saw bumps in numbers. Waco added just over 4,000 people from 2020. Belton added 2,000 and Killeen increased by nearly 6,000 people.
Texas is still trending as the state with the majority of cities that are among the fastest growing in the country.
"I do believe the population will continue trending upward. Every demographic study out there shows the state of Texas is going to grow from roughly 30 million people today to 50 plus million people by 2050 with the majority of those residing in the Texas triangle," said Davis.
Temple sits right in the heart of "The Texas Triangle" between the state's major cities of Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston, but the mayor says with proper planning, the city can maintain its integrity.
"It's about planning well and being very forward thinking not only in the next 2-5 months but the next 3-5 years. It's a challenge but it's a fun challenge and one we're up to," said Davis.