The U.S. Census Bureau’s list of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. puts Ankeny at No. 4. 

The northern suburb of Des Moines was the only Iowa city among the nation’s top 15 gainers by percentage between 2016 and 2017, released today. 

The largest percentage increase was in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas), at 8.2 percent. New Braunfels, Texas, came in at 8 percent and Pflugerville, also of Texas, gained 6.5 percent. Ankeny was next at 6.4 percent, with a new population of 62,416.

The analysis was for cities of more than 50,000. Waukee, which is smaller, has been growing more quickly. The western suburb grew to 20,649 in 2017, up 9 percent from 18,945.

The largest gain of residents, in raw numbers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Antonio saw more than 24,200 people between 2016 and 2017, the largest jump. Phoenix gained 24,000 and Dallas grew by 18,900. No Iowa city was in the top 15. 

Des Moines’ July 2017 population was 217,521, up 0.43 percent from 216,582 in 2016.

Nationally, eight of the 15 cities with the largest gains were in the South, and three of the top five were in Texas. On a percentage gain basis, 10 of the top 15 were in the South and seven in Texas. 

Selected results from other suburbs: 

• Altoona: 18,699, up 3.5 percent
  
• Clive: 17,172, down 0.6 percent
  
• Johnston: 21,562, up 2.2 percent
  
• Pleasant Hill: 9,873, up 0.2 percent
  
• Urbandale: 43,592, up 1.3 percent
  
• Windsor Heights: 4,953, down 1.1 percent
  
• West Des Moines: 65,608 up 1.6 percent
  

See the census news release.