Census: Texas has 3 of 5 fast-growing cities

HOUSTON (AP) — They grow everything bigger in Texas, even the cities.

Three of the nation's five fastest-growing cities — and seven of the top 15 — are located in the Lone Star State, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This includes San Marcos — a city located between Austin and San Antonio — that has topped the list of cities with more than 50,000 people for the second year in a row with growth of 8 percent between July 2012 and 2013 to 54,076 people.

But with that growth comes a few bumps.

Mayor Daniel Guerrero noted today that while the city has been enjoying steady growth for years, and has set aside money to keep up with road and other infrastructure improvements, not everything has gone as planned.

The Great Recession and a sudden rise in fuel costs forced San Marcos to delay major construction. Now, the city is rushing to lay down new roads, expand existing ones, add bike paths and repair or replace old utility pipelines.

"So throughout San Marcos you see a multitude of construction," Guerrero said.

And with an enviable location between Austin and San Antonio, one of the nation's largest outlet malls and a constantly expanding 35,000-student Texas State University, Guerrero anticipates the trend will continue.