Population and workforce data showed variation among metropolitan areas in growth trends and federally designated shortages of primary care, mental health, and dental professionals. The metropolitan areas included in this list were among the fastest-growing US metros between 2023 and 2024 and had active federal Health Professional Shortage Area designations.

1. Houston-Pasadena–The Woodlands, Texas — Houston-Pasadena–The Woodlands gained approximately 198,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, ranking second nationally for numeric population growth during the period. Harris County, which includes Houston, had 15 active primary care, 17 mental health, and 15 dental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations.

2. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Texas — Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington added nearly 178,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, making it the third-largest–gaining metropolitan area nationally. Dallas County had 21 active HPSA designations made up of 7 primary care, 7 mental health, and 7 dental. Tarrant County had 10, made up of three primary care, 4four mental health, and three dental HPSA designations.

3. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona — Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler gained nearly 85,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, placing it among the nation’s largest-gaining metropolitan areas. Maricopa County had 114 active HPSA designations, including 42 primary care, 32 mental health, and 40 dental designations.

4. Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, Florida — Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach grew by around 123,000 residents from 2023 to 2024. Miami–Dade County had 53 active HPSA designations, consisting of 17 primary care, 20 mental health, and 16 dental designations.

5. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida — Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford grew by around 76,000 residents from 2023 to 2024. The nine active HPSA designations in Orange County consisted of three designations each for primary care, mental health, and dental.

6. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina — Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia’s population increased by more than 61,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, placing the metropolitan area just outside the nation’s top 10 for numeric growth. Mecklenburg County had 21 active HPSA designations that consisted of seven designations each for primary care, mental health, and dental.

7. Austin–Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas — Austin–Round Rock-San Marcos grew by more than 58,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, placing it among the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Travis County had six active HPSA designations made up of two designations each in primary care, mental health, and dental.

8. Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, California — Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario added almost 40,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, placing it among the nation’s largest-gaining metropolitan areas. Riverside County had 47 active HPSA designations, including 16 primary care, 15 mental health, and 16 dental. San Bernardino County had 60 active HPSA designations with  20 designations in each category.

9. Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina — Raleigh-Cary grew by more than 39,000 residents from 2023 to 2024. There were 18 active HPSA designations that consisted of six primary care, five mental health, and seven dental in Wake County.

10. Ocala, Florida — Among US metropolitan areas, Ocala posted the highest population growth rate between 2023 and 2024, with its population increasing by 4%. Marion County had 30 active HPSA designations made up of 10 each in primary care, mental health, and dental.

Sources: US Census Bureau, PlainHealthAccess