It's no secret that Austin has been evolving into a major mega-metro, but now a surprising Austin-area neighbor has been named among the top 10 fastest-growing cities nationwide over the last decade: the booming suburb of Manor.

Manor saw an astonishing 185 percent increase in population from 2014-2023, according to a recent growth study by marketplace platform StorageCafe.

The town east of Austin, about 14 miles from downtown, ranked No. 6 in the report's list of the 100 fastest-growing U.S. cities during the 10-year period.

The report said Manor was home to nearly 17,000 residents in 2023, but now the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city's population has grown to more than 20,000 people.

"A mix of diverse housing options, proximity to city amenities, a strong local economy and access to top-rated schools and entertainment have made it one of the most attractive places to settle in the region," the report's author wrote.

It's no wonder new restaurants and fun attractions like The Big Bounce America are coming to the city.

Four more Austin suburbs earned spots among the top 100 fastest-growing U.S. cities from 2014 to 2023: Leander (No. 16), Kyle (No. 53), Hutto (No. 54), and Buda (No. 68). The report said Austin proper, however, hasn't quite seen the same level of population growth in comparison.

Buda City Hall & Public Library is a family-friendly community space in the bustling suburb.City of Buda, TX - City Government/Facebook

"Meanwhile, Austin itself posted a 12 percent growth rate — still notably higher than most large cities across the country," the report said.

The report added that the greater Austin area's population surge has also led to a high demand for housing. Home prices in Manor, Kyle, and Hutto were all below the national average price of a home, which was $354,000.

However, home prices in Leander stood at $442,102 in November 2024 (when the study's data was pulled), whereas Buda's home prices were over $372,000 during that same period.

"Despite the steady influx of new residents, these cities have managed to keep housing costs relatively stable," the report said. "In fact, home prices in the area have risen in line with — or just slightly above — the national average increase of 90 percent, allowing these communities to maintain much of their original affordability even as they grow in popularity."

StorageCafe says the reasons for population shifts vary greatly, with many people seeking out cities with a more affordable cost of living, or those moving for socioeconomic factors like better employment opportunities.

"Population growth is far from even across the U.S. Some cities are experiencing significant increases, directly driven by steady in-migration, rising immigration and birth rates outpacing death rates," the report said. "But what’s fueling these trends runs deeper — economic and social forces like shifting job markets, the rise of remote and hybrid work and soaring living costs are all reshaping where people choose to live."

Other fast-growing Texas cities
Texas had the greatest number of cities to earn spots in the report's ranking of the 100 fastest-growing U.S. cities over the last decade, with 25 total cities making the cut with the highest growth rates nationwide.

Houston only had four entries on the list, but Fulshear led the nation as the fastest-growing U.S. city over the last 10 years. The remaining Houston-area cities included in the report were Manvel (No. 24), Katy (No. 82), and Conroe (No. 83).

Dallas-Fort Worth had the highest number of fastest-growing Texas suburbs on the list, comprising 11 cities: Celina (No. 2), Melissa (No. 3), Princeton (No. 7), Prosper (No. 8), Fate (No. 9), Anna (No. 14), Midlothian (No. 33), Royse City (No. 43), Forney (No. 45), Little Elm (No. 58), and Frisco (No. 72).

San Antonio had five suburbs make the top 100: Boerne (No. 63), Selma (No. 74), Fair Oaks Ranch (No. 70), New Braunfels (No. 77), and Canyon Lake (No. 99).

The top 10 fastest-growing cities over the last decade are:

• No. 1 – Fulshear, Texas
• No. 2 – Woodbridge, Virginia
• No. 3 – Celina, Texas
• No. 4 – Davenport, Florida
• No. 5 – Melissa, Texas
• No. 6 – Manor, Texas
• No. 7 – Princeton, Texas
• No. 8 – Prosper, Texas
• No. 9 – Fate, Texas
• No. 10 – Nolensville, Tennessee