Fastest Growing Place in Every State
Slightly more than one in every 10 Americans packed up and moved to a new home in 2017. While reasons for relocating vary from person to person and family to family, there are some common themes. Younger Americans may move…
Slightly more than one in every 10 Americans packed up and moved to a new home in 2017.
While reasons for relocating vary from person to person and family to family, there are some common themes. Younger Americans may move to a city for their career. Families may decide they need to be in a better school district. Older Americans frequently move to be in warmer climates or more walkable cities — in addition to several other factors that the best places to retire all share.
The 35.5 million Americans who move each year may be attracted to places by different attributes — but it appears some places have more of these attributes than others.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed population changes between 2010 and 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places to identify the fastest growing place in every state. We only considered areas with populations of at least 1,000. To ensure accuracy, we did not consider places where the margin of error for population was greater than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
The cities and towns on this list tend to be relatively prosperous. In the vast majority of the fastest growing places, the unemployment rate is lower than it is across the respective state as a whole. Additionally, in 42 of the 50 communities on this list, the typical household earns more than they typical household across the state as a whole. The strong job market and higher incomes in these areas likely make them more attractive to new residents.
Focusing on population change in cities in towns within a specific state does not shed light on broader, national migration patterns. While the U.S. population grew by 5.6% in the last seven years, some states, like Michigan and West Virginia, are home to fewer people now than in 2010. Meanwhile, in the Southeast and the West, populations are booming. These are America’s fastest growing and shrinking states.
Click here to see the fastest growing places in every state
Click here to see the fastest shrinking places in every state
Click here to read our methodology
1. Alabama: Pike Road
> 2010-2017 population change: +66.0% (state: +2.9%)
> Median household income: $102,500 (state: $46,472)
> Annual unemployment: 2.9% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 8,417
[entry-topics ids=”8017″]
2. Alaska: Knik-Fairview
> 2010-2017 population change: +40.6% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $87,093 (state: $76,114)
> Annual unemployment: 5.5% (state: 5.2%)
> Total population: 17,203
[entry-topics ids=”176″]
3. Arizona: Queen Creek
> 2010-2017 population change: +44.4% (state: +9.0%)
> Median household income: $92,917 (state: $53,510)
> Annual unemployment: 2.4% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 33,298
[entry-topics ids=”24592″]
4. Arkansas: Centerton
> 2010-2017 population change: +46.5% (state: +3.7%)
> Median household income: $68,561 (state: $43,813)
> Annual unemployment: 1.3% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 12,178
[entry-topics ids=”50255″]
5. California: Ladera Ranch
> 2010-2017 population change: +58.3% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $152,923 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 28,769
[entry-topics ids=”1337″]
6. Colorado: Johnstown
> 2010-2017 population change: +66.2% (state: +11.2%)
> Median household income: $85,339 (state: $65,458)
> Annual unemployment: 2.5% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 14,386
[entry-topics ids=”180″]
7. Connecticut: Cheshire Village
> 2010-2017 population change: +17.3% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $100,994 (state: $73,781)
> Annual unemployment: 3.4% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 6,251
[entry-topics ids=”22247″]
8. Delaware: Middletown
> 2010-2017 population change: +24.7% (state: +7.1%)
> Median household income: $87,375 (state: $63,036)
> Annual unemployment: 2.4% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 20,754
[entry-topics ids=”3426″]
9. Florida: The Villages
> 2010-2017 population change: +85.0% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $61,022 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 0.6% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 74,618
[entry-topics ids=”1657″]
10. Georgia: Chamblee
> 2010-2017 population change: +191.6% (state: +7.7%)
> Median household income: $54,142 (state: $52,977)
> Annual unemployment: 3.8% (state: 4.7%)
> Total population: 28,433
[entry-topics ids=”22721″]
11. Hawaii: Ocean Pointe
> 2010-2017 population change: +123.4% (state: +6.6%)
> Median household income: $114,016 (state: $74,923)
> Annual unemployment: 2.7% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 13,579
[entry-topics ids=”14042″]
12. Idaho: Star
> 2010-2017 population change: +51.4% (state: +8.6%)
> Median household income: $55,674 (state: $50,985)
> Annual unemployment: 1.8% (state: 3.3%)
> Total population: 7,832
[entry-topics ids=”59347″]
13. Illinois: Pingree Grove
> 2010-2017 population change: +76.2% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $78,433 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 0% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 6,661
[entry-topics ids=”11106″]
14. Indiana: Zionsville
> 2010-2017 population change: +92.0% (state: +3.1%)
> Median household income: $127,152 (state: $52,182)
> Annual unemployment: 2.2% (state: 3.9%)
> Total population: 25,810
[entry-topics ids=”35717″]
15. Iowa: Bondurant
> 2010-2017 population change: +56.5% (state: +3.4%)
> Median household income: $75,357 (state: $56,570)
> Annual unemployment: 0.4% (state: 2.8%)
> Total population: 5,457
[entry-topics ids=”59348″]
16. Kansas: Basehor
> 2010-2017 population change: +28.8% (state: +3.4%)
> Median household income: $77,755 (state: $55,477)
> Annual unemployment: 3.3% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 5,401
[entry-topics ids=”14041″]
17. Kentucky: Wilmore
> 2010-2017 population change: +66.5% (state: +3.2%)
> Median household income: $46,833 (state: $46,535)
> Annual unemployment: 1.8% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 6,226
[entry-topics ids=”59349″]
18. Louisiana: Chalmette
> 2010-2017 population change: +83.9% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $43,590 (state: $46,710)
> Annual unemployment: 6.2% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 22,907
[entry-topics ids=”59350″]
19. Maine: Sanford
> 2010-2017 population change: +97.5% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $42,025 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 6.3% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 57,979
[entry-topics ids=”36448″]
20. Maryland: Clarksburg
> 2010-2017 population change: +109.6% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $135,203 (state: $78,916)
> Annual unemployment: 3.6% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 22,100
[entry-topics ids=”28049″]
21. Massachusetts: West Concord
> 2010-2017 population change: +23.2% (state: +4.8%)
> Median household income: $118,100 (state: $74,167)
> Annual unemployment: 2.3% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 7,646
[entry-topics ids=”22627″]
22. Michigan: Byron Center
> 2010-2017 population change: +33.8% (state: -0.3%)
> Median household income: $72,708 (state: $52,668)
> Annual unemployment: 3.3% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 6,751
[entry-topics ids=”11110″]
23. Minnesota: Rogers
> 2010-2017 population change: +64.0% (state: +3.7%)
> Median household income: $54,172 (state: $43,813)
> Annual unemployment: 2% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 63,411
[entry-topics ids=”19886″]
24. Mississippi: Bay St. Louis
> 2010-2017 population change: +27.5% (state: +1.5%)
> Median household income: $42,002 (state: $42,009)
> Annual unemployment: 5.3% (state: 5.0%)
> Total population: 11,918
[entry-topics ids=”59351″]
25. Missouri: Cottleville
> 2010-2017 population change: +56.2% (state: +2.6%)
> Median household income: $98,611 (state: $51,542)
> Annual unemployment: 2.9% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 4,551
[entry-topics ids=”28577″]
26. Montana: Sidney
> 2010-2017 population change: +28.5% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $59,958 (state: $50,801)
> Annual unemployment: 1.5% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 6,491
[entry-topics ids=”3837″]
27. Nebraska: Ralston
> 2010-2017 population change: +23.3% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $55,837 (state: $56,675)
> Annual unemployment: 3.7% (state: 2.6%)
> Total population: 7,348
[entry-topics ids=”11091″]
28. Nevada: Enterprise
> 2010-2017 population change: +56.5% (state: +9.7%)
> Median household income: $74,139 (state: $55,434)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 5.1%)
> Total population: 155,773
[entry-topics ids=”59354″]
29. New Hampshire: Durham
> 2010-2017 population change: +20.3% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $81,372 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 3.1% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 5,819
[entry-topics ids=”22615″]
30. New Jersey: Princeton
> 2010-2017 population change: +145.1% (state: +2.7%)
> Median household income: $125,506 (state: $76,475)
> Annual unemployment: 2.6% (state: 4.6%)
> Total population: 30,722
[entry-topics ids=”22720″]
31. New Mexico: Santa Fe
> 2010-2017 population change: +22.8% (state: +3.6%)
> Median household income: $53,922 (state: $46,718)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 82,980
[entry-topics ids=”59355″]
32. New York: Monsey
> 2010-2017 population change: +46.5% (state: +3.0%)
> Median household income: $37,925 (state: $62,765)
> Annual unemployment: 3.3% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 22,043
[entry-topics ids=”4614″]
33. North Carolina: Rolesville
> 2010-2017 population change: +91.8% (state: +8.4%)
> Median household income: $96,384 (state: $50,320)
> Annual unemployment: 8% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 6,308
[entry-topics ids=”20037″]
34. North Dakota: Williston
> 2010-2017 population change: +81.0% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $35,000 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 4.1% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 2,685
[entry-topics ids=”15103″]
35. Ohio: Fort Shawnee
> 2010-2017 population change: +56.3% (state: +0.8%)
> Median household income: $66,323 (state: $52,407)
> Annual unemployment: 4.4% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 5,875
[entry-topics ids=”4458″]
36. Oklahoma: Jenks
> 2010-2017 population change: +34.9% (state: +6.0%)
> Median household income: $90,039 (state: $49,767)
> Annual unemployment: 2.5% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 20,836
[entry-topics ids=”6084″]
37. Oregon: Happy Valley
> 2010-2017 population change: +46.8% (state: +7.0%)
> Median household income: $115,718 (state: $56,119)
> Annual unemployment: 2.8% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 18,477
[entry-topics ids=”59358″]
38. Pennsylvania: Boalsburg
> 2010-2017 population change: +23.1% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $100,198 (state: $56,951)
> Annual unemployment: 0.9% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 4,533
[entry-topics ids=”11113″]
39. Rhode Island: Tiverton
> 2010-2017 population change: +5.9% (state: +0.0%)
> Median household income: $71,615 (state: $61,043)
> Annual unemployment: 4.2% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 7,727
[entry-topics ids=”9799″]
40. South Carolina: Hardeeville
> 2010-2017 population change: +70.3% (state: +8.5%)
> Median household income: $52,705 (state: $48,781)
> Annual unemployment: 3.8% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 5,084
[entry-topics ids=”11112″]
41. South Dakota: Harrisburg
> 2010-2017 population change: +52.5% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $35,609 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 7.1% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 9,344
[entry-topics ids=”14040″]
42. Tennessee: Mount Juliet
> 2010-2017 population change: +43.2% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $80,130 (state: $48,708)
> Annual unemployment: 2.5% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 31,397
[entry-topics ids=”59360″]
43. Texas: Timberwood Park
> 2010-2017 population change: +123.0% (state: +12.8%)
> Median household income: $113,331 (state: $57,051)
> Annual unemployment: 2.9% (state: 3.7%)
> Total population: 26,236
[entry-topics ids=”1575″]
44. Utah: Saratoga Springs
> 2010-2017 population change: +74.7% (state: +3.0%)
> Median household income: $76,775 (state: $62,765)
> Annual unemployment: 3.9% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 27,682
[entry-topics ids=”59361″]
45. Vermont: Essex Junction
> 2010-2017 population change: +10.7% (state: +0.1%)
> Median household income: $63,948 (state: $57,808)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 2.9%)
> Total population: 10,132
[entry-topics ids=”1866″]
46. Virginia: Brambleton
> 2010-2017 population change: +131.3% (state: +6.7%)
> Median household income: $173,690 (state: $68,766)
> Annual unemployment: 2.7% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 19,876
[entry-topics ids=”1834″]
47. Washington: Kirkland
> 2010-2017 population change: +82.0% (state: +9.3%)
> Median household income: $104,319 (state: $66,174)
> Annual unemployment: 3.3% (state: 3.8%)
> Total population: 86,772
[entry-topics ids=”8439″]
48. West Virginia: Cheat Lake
> 2010-2017 population change: +24.9% (state: -0.2%)
> Median household income: $87,125 (state: $44,061)
> Annual unemployment: 1.7% (state: 3.8%)
> Total population: 9,540
[entry-topics ids=”38858″]
49. Wisconsin: Bristol
> 2010-2017 population change: +93.9% (state: +2.2%)
> Median household income: $66,788 (state: $56,759)
> Annual unemployment: 3% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 4,970
[entry-topics ids=”11108″]
50. Wyoming: Evansville
> 2010-2017 population change: +18.3% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $42,140 (state: $60,938)
> Annual unemployment: 4% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 2,929
[entry-topics ids=”19422″]
Methodology
To identify the fastest growing place in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed population change from 2010 to 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places with populations of at least 1,000. We only considered places where the margin of error for population was less than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. We also reviewed data on median household income and annual unemployment for 2017 from the ACS.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Sam Stebbins is a writer at 247WallSt.com where his primary focus is on government policy, politics, companies, and broad social and economic trends. Sam has been writing in the money and news verticals for over 8 years and holds a bachelor's degree from Hobart College, which he earned in 2010. Sam resides in upstate New York and enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, and skiing in the Adirondack Mountains and across the Northeast.
