The Second City may soon get knocked down from its spot as the third-largest city in America.
Demographers predict Houston, Texas, could jump into the third place slot within the next 10 years, Reuters reported.
Houston’s population is estimated to be between 2.54 million and 2.7 million by 2025, while Chicago will be at 2.5 million, according to Reuters, which cited official data from both states provided for their health departments.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau released earlier this year showed Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The report estimated the Texas city grew by 1.6 percent between 2013 and 2014, with an increase of 35,752 residents. That would bring Houston’s population to 2,239,588 residents.
About 2.72 million people live in the Windy City, but the city saw the slowest growth rate of any of the top 10 cities in the U.S. from 2013-2014, census data showed. The city grew by just 82 residents during the one-year period, an increase of just .003 percent, officials said.
Houston, in addition to population growth, has also seen an increase in job opportunities, a factor city officials credited with the increase in residents.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker told Reuters the area is known for its diverse population and job opportunities, saying the city is “not so much interested in where you are from” but rather “we want to know what you can do.”
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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel didn’t immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
The Houston area’s unemployment rate has remained below the national average, according to a recent report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Houston's Rice University.
The area’s local economy has seen economic improvements over the years, but the city still faces issues with traffic and air pollution. The report also noted potential economic concerns as crude oil prices have dropped.
