Population Growth Calculator
Project where a city's population will be 5, 10, 25 years from now based on its current annual growth rate.
How the Population Growth Calculator works
The projection uses compound growth — each year's population is multiplied by (1 + rate). A 2 percent annual rate compounds to roughly 22 percent over 10 years; 3 percent compounds to about 34 percent. Even small differences in annual rate produce large differences over a decade.
Use this to gauge housing demand, infrastructure pressure, business opportunity, and labor-market trajectory in a city you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
How is projected population calculated?
We compound a city's most recent annual population growth rate over the number of years you specify. It assumes the current growth trajectory continues — a useful but simplifying assumption.
Why does this matter?
Population growth drives housing demand, job market expansion, infrastructure investment, and small-business opportunities. A 1 percent compounding gap over 10 years is the difference between a growing market and a stagnant one.
Can I compare two cities?
Yes — run the calculator twice, or compare cities directly via the City Comparison Tool which surfaces population growth alongside every other metric.