Texas on Top

Texas' explosive population growth results in 140 new San Antonians each day

San Antonio's population grew by 2.2 percent from 2014 to 2015.

Cristhian Rodriguez/Wikimedia Commons

Population is booming in the Lone Star State: According to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas has added more new residents than any other state in the country.

Released Thursday, the Census Bureau's population estimates paint a picture of nationwide growth from July 1, 2014 through July 1, 2015. Texas gained a whopping 490,000 new residents in that time. Together, the Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas were responsible for more than 412,000 of those new Texans.

With a 3 percent population increase, Austin-Round Rock was the fastest-growing metro area in the state, the seventh fastest in the nation. The area added 57,395 new residents.

A similar story played out in San Antonio-New Braunfels, which saw a 2.2 percent increase. San Antonio-New Braunfels attracted 51,285 people — that's about 140 new residents per day.

Combined, the Austin-San Antonio area added a total of 108,680 people. This massive influx adds to the speculation that the I-35 corridor could mimic the collision of our neighbors in North Texas.

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area witnessed the highest population gain in the nation, with 159,083 new residents, bringing the total up to 6.6 million. Falling just behind Houston is Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, which added 144,704 residents. A total population of 7.1 million means Dallas-Fort Worth remains the most populous metro in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S.

Even Texas' tinier towns are seeing phenomenal population expansion. Three small metro areas were among the fastest growing in the nation: Midland (No. 4) and Odessa (No. 5) with a 3.3 percent increase, and College Station-Bryan (No. 15) with 2.6 percent. The fastest-growing metro area in the country was The Villages, a suburb of Orlando, Florida, which experienced a 4.3 percent increase in one year.

As we lead the country in population growth and gain, it seems everyone wants to be a Texan. But Texans also like their wide open spaces, so let's keep encouraging the masses to move to Orlando.

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Ready for Harvest

New farmers market and yoga classes stretch into St. Paul Square

Photo courtesy of St. Paul Square

St. Paul Square is historic, but keeping up with the times.

San Antonians have a fresh way to pick up groceries and artisan goods at St. Paul Square with the addition of a new farmers market. It will be free to attend in the central courtyard every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Shoppers will be able to browse produce, handcrafted goods, and ready-to-eat treats by farmers, bakers, and artisans, according to a release. Suppliers will come from San Antonio and other places in South Texas.

This recurring event is just called the St. Paul Square Farmers Market. It's attributed directly to St. Paul Square, which is not just a neighborhood destination but an organization developing the historic district. Part of the purpose of the new programming is to support local businesses, as well as drawing in visitors.

The area was founded in 1778, and now includes all kinds of modern and retro attractions like the popular Francis Bogside bar, several eateries, 1902 Nightclub, and live music venue The Espee.

Donation-based yoga classes on Sundays from 9-11 am give even more to to do at The Espee's courtyard (1174 E. Commerce St.). They'll be led by Bendy with Lenny, and guests joining in will get to choose between a gentler slow flow in the earlier slot, and a higher energy class in the later slots.

“Our team is excited to introduce a series of new programs this winter aimed at enriching and uplifting our local community," said St. Paul Square managing partnerDon Thomas in the release. "We invite residents from across San Antonio to join us at St. Paul Square this Sunday to kick off the series and enjoy supporting local businesses as we enter the holiday season.”

The debut St. Paul Square Farmers Market takes place November 17 at17 Heiman Street.

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