Welcome to Boomtown, USA!
America is on the move—and some cities are booming like never before. From sunbelt hotspots to tech hubs and suburban magnets, millions of people are relocating in search of jobs, affordable housing, and better lifestyles. But which cities are really growing the fastest?
Methodology: We ranked U.S. metro areas based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau population growth percentages, net migration, job growth, and housing development trends. Each city earned weighted points across these categories. The result? A definitive list of the 50 fastest growing cities in America. Let’s count them down!
Note: Some metro areas may appear more than once under slightly different names, as rankings often distinguish between city cores and their broader metropolitan regions.
50: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population growth: +1.2% (2020–2024)
Net migration: +4,200 people in 2024
Job growth rate: 1.5%
New housing permits: 8,400 in 2024
Once an old industrial giant, Philly has reinvented itself as a biotech and education hub—drawing steady newcomers despite high costs.
49: Spokane, Washington
Population growth: +1.4%
Net migration: +3,800
Job growth rate: 1.7%
New housing permits: 4,100
Spokane has become a popular alternative to pricey Seattle, with families and retirees fueling steady expansion.
Spicypepper999, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
48: Louisville, Kentucky
Population growth: +1.6%
Net migration: +5,000
Job growth rate: 1.8%
New housing permits: 6,700
Affordable living and a growing logistics industry have Louisville quietly making its way onto the growth charts.
47: Boise, Idaho
Population growth: +1.7%
Net migration: +7,200
Job growth rate: 2.1%
New housing permits: 3,900
Boise was once the fastest-growing city in the country, and while growth has cooled, it remains a magnet for outdoor-loving newcomers.
46: Omaha, Nebraska
Population growth: +1.8%
Net migration: +6,300
Job growth rate: 2.0%
New housing permits: 5,600
Omaha is expanding thanks to finance, tech, and insurance jobs—making it a Midwest powerhouse for growth.
45: Des Moines, Iowa
Population growth: +1.9%
Net migration: +5,800
Job growth rate: 2.2%
New housing permits: 4,800
The insurance capital of the U.S. is drawing young professionals with affordable housing and solid job prospects.
44: Birmingham, Alabama
Population growth: +2.0%
Net migration: +7,100
Job growth rate: 2.3%
New housing permits: 6,200
Revitalized downtown districts and tech investments are fueling Birmingham’s rebound as a rising Southern hub.
43: Charlotte, North Carolina
Population growth: +2.2%
Net migration: +9,600
Job growth rate: 2.8%
New housing permits: 12,100
Charlotte’s finance and tech growth keeps pulling in residents, making it one of the South’s most dynamic metros.
Precisionviews, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
42: Tucson, Arizona
Population growth: +2.3%
Net migration: +8,500
Job growth rate: 2.4%
New housing permits: 7,300
Tucson benefits from Arizona’s overall boom, with retirees and remote workers flocking for sunshine and affordability.
41: Huntsville, Alabama
Population growth: +2.4%
Net migration: +6,700
Job growth rate: 3.0%
New housing permits: 5,100
Rocket City continues to rise with aerospace, defense, and tech attracting highly skilled newcomers.
Anivron , CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
40: Orlando, Florida
Population growth: +2.5%
Net migration: +17,000
Job growth rate: 3.1%
New housing permits: 14,800
Tourism, tech, and affordable housing keep Orlando among the fastest-growing metro areas in the Sunshine State.
39: Nashville, Tennessee
Population growth: +2.6%
Net migration: +15,200
Job growth rate: 3.3%
New housing permits: 12,900
Music City is still singing a growth tune, attracting both startups and creative professionals.
38: Tampa, Florida
Population growth: +2.7%
Net migration: +18,400
Job growth rate: 3.0%
New housing permits: 13,400
Tampa’s waterfront lifestyle, low taxes, and business opportunities keep newcomers streaming in.
37: Raleigh, North Carolina
Population growth: +2.8%
Net migration: +12,000
Job growth rate: 3.4%
New housing permits: 11,200
The Research Triangle’s mix of universities, biotech, and tech jobs keeps Raleigh booming.
36: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Population growth: +2.9%
Net migration: +25,600
Job growth rate: 3.5%
New housing permits: 20,200
The DFW metroplex is among the biggest magnets in the nation—drawing talent from coast to coast.
35: Austin, Texas
Population growth: +3.0%
Net migration: +20,400
Job growth rate: 4.1%
New housing permits: 14,500
Austin’s tech boom continues, with both workers and companies relocating in droves.
34: Jacksonville, Florida
Population growth: +3.1%
Net migration: +19,800
Job growth rate: 3.6%
New housing permits: 12,200
Jacksonville’s mix of beaches, affordability, and growing industries keep fueling its surge.
Felix Mizioznikov, Adobe Stock
33: Miami, Florida
Population growth: +3.2%
Net migration: +21,200
Job growth rate: 3.9%
New housing permits: 15,000
Miami’s global vibe, booming tech, and steady migration from both Latin America and U.S. cities push its expansion.
32: Las Vegas, Nevada
Population growth: +3.3%
Net migration: +22,400
Job growth rate: 3.8%
New housing permits: 14,600
Las Vegas isn’t just about entertainment anymore—its suburban growth is powering population gains.
31: Charleston, South Carolina
Population growth: +3.4%
Net migration: +11,300
Job growth rate: 3.9%
New housing permits: 7,800
Historic charm mixed with port jobs and tech make Charleston a magnet for new residents.
30: Richmond, Virginia
Population growth: +3.5%
Net migration: +10,200
Job growth rate: 3.6%
New housing permits: 8,900
Richmond’s affordable cost of living and government jobs attract both millennials and families.
29: Denver, Colorado
Population growth: +3.6%
Net migration: +15,400
Job growth rate: 4.0%
New housing permits: 11,500
Denver continues to shine as an outdoor and economic powerhouse—though housing demand remains fierce.
28: Houston, Texas
Population growth: +3.7%
Net migration: +26,800
Job growth rate: 3.9%
New housing permits: 18,300
Houston’s energy, healthcare, and aerospace industries drive relentless population growth.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
27: San Antonio, Texas
Population growth: +3.8%
Net migration: +21,900
Job growth rate: 4.1%
New housing permits: 13,800
San Antonio blends history, affordability, and growth—making it a top Texas draw.
26: Atlanta, Georgia
Population growth: +3.9%
Net migration: +23,600
Job growth rate: 4.2%
New housing permits: 16,400
Atlanta’s tech boom and cultural scene fuel continuous expansion.
25: Boise City–Nampa, Idaho
Population growth: +4.0%
Net migration: +10,900
Job growth rate: 4.3%
New housing permits: 6,800
The Treasure Valley keeps growing as families move in for lifestyle and affordability.
Tamanoeconomico, Wikimedia Commons
24: Cape Coral–Fort Myers, Florida
Population growth: +4.1%
Net migration: +18,700
Job growth rate: 4.5%
New housing permits: 8,200
This Gulf Coast city is booming with retirees and remote workers alike.
Fort Myers, Florida 🇺🇸 in 4K Video by Drone - Fort Myers United States, CitiesAndTowns
23: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Population growth: +4.2%
Net migration: +12,600
Job growth rate: 4.6%
New housing permits: 5,900
Tourism and retirement living keep Myrtle Beach climbing the charts.
GagliardiPhotography, Shutterstock
22: Ocala, Florida
Population growth: +4.3%
Net migration: +9,800
Job growth rate: 4.7%
New housing permits: 4,700
Known for horses and affordability, Ocala is one of Florida’s fastest growers.
21: Lakeland–Winter Haven, Florida
Population growth: +4.4%
Net migration: +14,200
Job growth rate: 4.8%
New housing permits: 6,500
This central Florida hub benefits from its proximity to both Orlando and Tampa.
20: Sarasota, Florida
Population growth: +4.5%
Net migration: +13,300
Job growth rate: 4.9%
New housing permits: 6,400
Sarasota’s beaches and culture make it a growing hotspot for retirees and professionals.
Suncoast Aerials, Shutterstock
19: Phoenix, Arizona
Population growth: +4.6%
Net migration: +31,400
Job growth rate: 4.7%
New housing permits: 20,900
Phoenix’s desert boom continues, drawing both companies and newcomers by the tens of thousands.
18: Provo–Orem, Utah
Population growth: +4.7%
Net migration: +10,600
Job growth rate: 4.9%
New housing permits: 5,300
Utah’s tech hub, “Silicon Slopes,” is booming with both startups and families.
17: Salt Lake City, Utah
Population growth: +4.8%
Net migration: +12,900
Job growth rate: 5.0%
New housing permits: 6,700
Salt Lake combines outdoor life with a robust job market, keeping its growth steady.
16: Fayetteville–Springdale, Arkansas
Population growth: +4.9%
Net migration: +8,800
Job growth rate: 5.1%
New housing permits: 4,500
The home of Walmart and Tyson Foods is expanding fast with strong corporate roots.
15: Austin–Round Rock, Texas
Population growth: +5.0%
Net migration: +22,100
Job growth rate: 5.3%
New housing permits: 12,900
The Austin metro continues its rocket rise, blending tech with culture.
Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons
14: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Population growth: +5.1%
Net migration: +11,700
Job growth rate: 5.2%
New housing permits: 5,100
This coastal metro has become a retirement magnet with steady growth.
JonathanPuello, Wikimedia Commons
13: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Population growth: +5.2%
Net migration: +7,200
Job growth rate: 5.4%
New housing permits: 3,200
Scenic beauty and affordability make Coeur d’Alene a rapidly growing Northwest hub.
Spicypepper999, Wikimedia Commons
12: The Villages, Florida
Population growth: +5.3%
Net migration: +9,600
Job growth rate: 3.9%
New housing permits: 4,400
The Villages is America’s fastest-growing retirement community.
11: Cape Coral–Naples, Florida
Population growth: +5.4%
Net migration: +15,800
Job growth rate: 5.3%
New housing permits: 6,900
Florida’s Gulf Coast continues to attract big numbers of retirees and snowbirds.
Charles Patrick Ewing, Wikimedia Commons
10: Fort Collins, Colorado
Population growth: +5.5%
Net migration: +8,500
Job growth rate: 5.5%
New housing permits: 4,100
Fort Collins’ mix of tech, education, and outdoors make it a rising star.
9: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Population growth: +5.6%
Net migration: +7,900
Job growth rate: 5.6%
New housing permits: 3,800
Midwestern charm and job opportunities keep Cedar Rapids’ momentum strong.
Real Window Creative, Shutterstock
8: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Population growth: +5.7%
Net migration: +6,800
Job growth rate: 5.7%
New housing permits: 3,500
Idaho Falls’ growth proves small metros can thrive with the right mix of affordability and jobs.
Idaho National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons
7: Palm Bay–Melbourne, Florida
Population growth: +5.8%
Net migration: +9,400
Job growth rate: 5.8%
New housing permits: 4,800
Florida’s Space Coast is growing as aerospace and retirees power population gains.
Palm Bay Virtual Tour | Palm Bay Drone by Explified English
6: Austin Metro (Greater Area)
Population growth: +6.0%
Net migration: +23,200
Job growth rate: 6.0%
New housing permits: 13,800
Austin’s metro at large continues to outpace national averages by a wide margin.
Jouaienttoi, Wikimedia Commons
5: Cape Coral Metro, Florida
Population growth: +6.2%
Net migration: +17,400
Job growth rate: 6.1%
New housing permits: 7,200
The Cape Coral area is one of the hottest destinations for Florida newcomers.
4: Greeley, Colorado
Population growth: +6.4%
Net migration: +9,200
Job growth rate: 6.2%
New housing permits: 4,500
With agriculture and energy jobs, Greeley has been growing faster than most Colorado metros.
3: Austin–San Marcos, Texas
Population growth: +6.7%
Net migration: +20,600
Job growth rate: 6.4%
New housing permits: 8,900
The Austin–San Marcos corridor is surging, boosted by tech and university growth.
2: Austin–Georgetown, Texas
Population growth: +7.2%
Net migration: +21,100
Job growth rate: 6.9%
New housing permits: 7,600
Georgetown is the poster child of suburban Austin’s incredible boom.
Georgetown, Texas Drone Footage of The Square, Georgetown Drone Services
1: St. George, Utah
Population growth: +8.9%
Net migration: +14,600
Job growth rate: 5.2%
New housing permits: 6,400
Nestled in southern Utah’s red rock landscapes, St. George tops the charts as America’s fastest-growing city—thanks to retirees, remote workers, and outdoor enthusiasts fueling explosive growth.
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