The U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates showing more specific information about population growth rates over the first pandemic year. A third of the top 15 fastest growing large cities and towns are in Arizona.

The data shows that Phoenix is second in the country when it comes to largest numeric city population gain from 2020 to 2021. 

As for percentage growth, Arizona also showed notable gains. Queen Creek took third in the top 15. That list also included the cities of Buckeye, Casa Grande, Maricopa and Goodyear. Other cities and towns on that list come from Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Idaho.

• In 1st full year of pandemic, biggest metros lost residents