The Fort Worth metropolitan area experienced robust job growth over the three months ending in May, registering an annualized increase of 3.4%, significantly outpacing Texas’s statewide growth rate of 2.4%, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. While employment gains slowed somewhat in May compared to earlier months, the data reflect continued economic expansion in a region that has emerged as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country.

Recent census figures highlight this growth, showing Fort Worth’s population exceeded 1 million residents by July 2025, increasing by nearly 20,000 in the previous year. This population boom has propelled Fort Worth to become the 10th most populous city in the United States.

Fort Worth’s economic development has been fueled by a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, healthcare, energy, transportation, manufacturing, and entertainment, the latter notably influenced by local contributions such as those from Taylor Sheridan, creator of the series "Landman." "Fort Worth has experienced a surge of population and economic growth, broadening its economic base while maintaining its unique strengths," said Pia Orrenius, a senior economist at the Dallas Fed.

Reflecting the region’s growing significance, the Dallas Fed now tracks the Fort Worth economy separately from Dallas. Alongside broader Texas economic reports and sector-specific analyses, Fort Worth will receive dedicated regional coverage to better capture its distinct dynamics.

However, this rapid expansion has brought challenges, particularly in housing. Orrenius pointed to a swift rise in home prices as one such issue. Median sales prices increased from just over $200,000 in early 2017 to $355,000 in May 2025, according to multiple listing service data referenced by the Dallas Fed. Although housing demand eased somewhat in May—with a slight decline in existing home sales and a modest year-over-year dip in median price—the broader trend reflects strong upward pressure on local real estate values.

Local leaders have acknowledged these challenges amid the region’s growth. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker described the city’s population milestone as a "defining moment of growth and opportunity" while recognizing the responsibilities it entails. Parker has also emphasized initiatives focused on public safety, parks, education, and workforce development during this period of rapid change.

The employment expansion in Fort Worth, which includes Arlington, was broad-based but varied by sector. Total nonfarm employment rose 3.4% annually, with the professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation, and utilities sectors each growing around 6%. By contrast, education and health services, construction, and mining sectors recorded slower growth rates, while information and manufacturing sectors faced job declines.

In May alone, employment in the area increased at an annualized rate of 1.6%, exceeding the Texas average of 1.2%, while the metro area’s unemployment rate stood at 4%, below the state’s 4.3%. Average hourly wages in Fort Worth also rose to $37.23, up approximately $1.25 year-over-year, slightly higher than the state’s figures.

These economic indicators suggest that Fort Worth continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic and rapidly evolving metropolitan economy within Texas.