Chicago has long held its title as the third-largest city in the U.S.—but that status may soon be up for grabs.
New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show Houston is closing in. As of 2024, Chicago’s population stands at 2,721,308, while Houston trails with 2,390,125 residents.
But while Chicago remains ahead for now, Houston is gaining ground fast. The Texas city added 43,217 residents between 2023 and 2024—some of the fastest numeric growth in the nation, and nearly double Chicago’s increase of 22,164 over the same period.
That surge reflects a broader trend of rapid growth in Southern cities. Between 2023 and 2024, cities like San Antonio, Fort Worth, Jacksonville, and Phoenix also ranked among the top population gainers.
If current growth rates hold, Houston could overtake Chicago as the nation’s third-largest city in as little as 15 years. And if Chicago’s growth slows or stalls, that milestone could come even sooner.
While Chicago’s growth still trails behind Houston’s, the good news is our city is bouncing back. After years of population decline during the pandemic, Chicago is once again seeing an upward trend.
If that momentum continues, the Windy City just might hold on to its title as the nation’s third-largest.