Three Texas counties are among the fastest-growing in the United States despite carrying elevated risks for natural disasters, according to a recent analysis by the real estate platform RealtyHomes. The study, which utilized Census Bureau population and housing data alongside the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index, identified Montgomery, Collin, and Fort Bend counties as high-growth areas with "relatively high" or "very high" disaster risk ratings.
Montgomery County Leads Texas Growth
Montgomery County, situated north of Houston, secured the No. 2 spot on the list of fastest-growing, high-risk counties in the nation. The area experienced a 24.9 percent population increase between 2020 and 2025, according to RealtyHomes. During this five-year window, the county added approximately 68,800 housing units to accommodate the influx of new residents.
Collin and Fort Bend County Expansion
Collin County, located in the northern reaches of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, ranked No. 5 on the list. The county grew by 20.6 percent over the five-year period, with RealtyHomes reporting that the total population reached nearly 1.3 million people by 2025 after adding more than 221,000 residents.
Fort Bend County, positioned southwest of Houston, rounded out the top 10 at No. 9. It recorded a growth rate of 17.4 percent between 2020 and 2025. Denton County, also in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, appeared at No. 11 with a growth rate of 16.9 percent.
Harris County and National Risk Trends
While Harris County did not place in the top 25 fastest-growing counties, it remains the fastest-growing county in the U.S. that FEMA classifies as having a "very high" disaster risk. Harris County maintained a 6.6 percent growth rate between 2020 and 2025.
The national data shows a disconnect between population trends and hazard assessments. None of the 17 U.S. counties that FEMA ranks at the highest level of disaster risk reached the top 25 for growth. The No. 1 spot for fastest-growing, high-risk counties nationally went to Brunswick County, North Carolina, which grew by 26.5 percent during the same five-year timeframe.
Common Questions Regarding Disaster Risk and Growth
Does high disaster risk stop population growth in Texas?
Data indicates that population growth continues in high-risk areas. While FEMA identifies certain counties as having "relatively high" or "very high" risk, these areas—including Montgomery, Collin, and Fort Bend—recorded some of the highest growth rates in the country between 2020 and 2025.
Which Texas county has the highest FEMA risk rating while still growing?
Harris County is identified as the fastest-growing county in the U.S. that is specifically categorized by FEMA as being at "very high" risk for natural disasters. It saw a 6.6 percent growth rate between 2020 and 2025.
How does growth in Texas compare to other states?
Texas dominates the list of fast-growing, high-risk counties with four entries in the top 25, including three in the top 10. The only county to outpace the Texas leaders in this specific category is Brunswick County, North Carolina, which recorded a 26.5 percent growth rate.
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