The Top 10 Fastest-Growing Cities in America
If you’re in the market to buy a home, you likely have a whole list of questions. How many bedrooms do you need? What’s an appropriate price range? Can you or can you not live without a breakfast nook or bay window?
However, one of the very first questions any home buyer may want to ask is much more basic: Where should you look for your dream house in the first place?
Although life circumstances sometimes mean relocating isn’t an option, some cities make picking up and moving look pretty darn appealing. Proximity to major metropoles, low housing costs and ample job opportunities might make a move worthwhile—even if it’s a big one.
This article will review the 10 housing markets that have experienced the most population growth over the last 10 years. Who knows? One of them might be the perfect place to make into your forever home.
Warm Climates for the Win
Measuring cities with populations of 50,000 or more, the US Census Bureau reports the following 10 cities have seen the largest population jump during the last decade. They’re listed in order below, along with their percentage of population increase between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2019.
Fully half of these cities are in the state of Texas, and all of them are in either the southern or western parts of the country. Many of these metropolitan areas offer a variety of benefits to residents and relatively low costs of living.
1. Frisco, Texas: 71.1%
Population: 200,490
Median Household Income: $127,133
Median Home Value: $368,000
A suburb north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Frisco, Texas, is a popular community for those who work “in town” (that is, in Dallas-Fort Worth) to settle. Although the median home value is substantially higher than it is in other parts of the metro, it’s matched by a high median household income and upwardly trending employment rate.
2. Buckeye, Arizona: 56.6%
Population: 79,620
Median Household Income: $65,932
Median Home Value: $196,800
Located west of Phoenix and sandwiched between Estrella Mountain Regional Park to the south and Skyline and White Tank Mountain Regional Parks to the north, Buckeye is a great place to settle for those wishing to balance the urban with the outdoorsy. The area’s average commute is only about a half hour each way, and residents are also treated to fantastic desert sunsets.
3. New Braunfels, Texas: 56.4%
Population: 90,209
Median Household Income: $67,510
Median Home Value: $199,700
Just half an hour northeast of central San Antonio, New Braunfels has drawn many suburban settlers into its community. Along with being an easy drive from the big city, it’s also home to the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo and a Schlitterbahn Waterpark—so if you have (or are planning to have) kids, there are lots of nearby diversions.
4. McKinney, Texas: 51.9%
Population: 199,177
Median Household Income: $89,964
Median Home Value: $281,300
Another DFW-area exurb, McKinney lies just east of Frisco and enjoys many of the same benefits with a slightly lower cost of living. For example, the US Census Bureau estimates the average monthly housing costs for owners with a mortgage at $2,490, but that figure is just $2,044 in neighboring McKinney.
5. South Jordan, Utah: 51.8%
Population: 76,598
Median Household Income: $103,430
Median Home Value: $379,200
Tucked 18 miles south of Salt Lake City, South Jordan enjoys a much higher median household income than the American average ($60,293) as well as a shorter-than-average commute. Plus, situated as it is along the Jordan River and between two towering mountain ranges, you can’t do much better when it comes to the view.
6. Meridian, Idaho: 48.3%
Population: 114,161
Median Household Income: $68,131
Median Home Value: $242,000
Idaho’s second-largest city after—you guessed it—Boise, Meridian is a community just west of the state’s capital, and a great place to settle for those who find job opportunities in town. Zillow categorizes the Meridian housing market as “warm,” with values having risen almost 10% over the last year. Many of the subdivisions are new or newer, which may mean homes for sale will need less restoration.
7. Cedar Park, Texas: 44.2%
Population: 79,462
Median Household Income: $101,845
Median Home Value: $279,900
A major suburb of Austin, Cedar Park mirrors its metropolitan neighbor in its multiplicity of green spaces: There are at least four parks within the boundaries of the community and even more just outside its borders. The city is also home to 2 minor league sports teams: the Austin Spurs (basketball) and the Texas Stars (hockey).
8. Fort Myers, Florida: 39.8%
Population: 87,103
Median Household Income: $43,474
Median Home Value: $208,200
For those who’ve been dreaming of relocating to the white sands and palm trees of Florida, Fort Myers might be a good choice. Deep sea fishing in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters is a popular recreational activity. If you’re looking for a relaxed, island vibe, this might be the place for you.
9. Conroe, Texas: 39.3%
Population: 90,079
Median Household Income: $57,214
Median Home Value: $177,700
Just 45 minutes outside of Houston, Conroe may be a good option for those who work in town but are willing to commute to live in a smaller community. Surrounded by a wide range of green spaces, including Sam Houston National Forest immediately to the north, Conroe offers great access to both the city and the countryside.
10. Irvine, California: 35.5%
Population: 287,401
Median Household Income: $100,969
Median Home Value: $797,100
Although the median home value of this southern California city might raise your eyebrows, its median household income is a full $40,000 higher than the national average. Along with being home to one of the most prestigious schools in the University of California system, Irvine is also the headquarters for many large companies including gaming powerhouse Blizzard Entertainment, entertainment technology company Vizio, and even the fast-food chain Taco Bell (yes, really).
Ready to Buy?
Whether you’re searching in the above-mentioned fastest growing cities or somewhere else entirely, SoFi may be able to help you make your home-owning dreams a reality. Along with a line of competitive and transparent mortgages, SoFi also offers a range of home loan educational resources to help make the big leap feel a little less overwhelming.
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