Americans are moving all the time and for various reasons, from warmer climates and safety to saving some money. For those curious about where they're going, 24/7 Wall St. found the fastest-growing cities in the country. Researchers say these destinations have Here's how they determined their list:
"To determine the fastest growing large cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey one-year estimates. We listed all 20 metropolitan statistical areas with at least 15% population growth from 2016 to 2021. We added seasonally-adjusted December employment figures – used to calculate employment growth from 2016 to 2021 – from the Bureau of Labor Statistics."
A popular Florida city made the list: Gainesville! Located in Alachua County, this destination is the home of the University of Florida and its football team the Gators. That means a true college-town experience along with sports bars, beautiful natural scenery, historical buildings, and plenty of engaging attractions.
Researchers also provided statistics to back up Gainesville's place on the list:
- 2016-2021 pop. growth: +22.4% (+63,085)
- 2021 population: 344,881 — #150 highest out of 381
- 2016 population: 281,796 — #168 highest out of 381
- 2016-2021 employment growth: 7.1% — #79 largest increase out of 231
- Dec 2021 unemployment rate: 3.6% — #150 lowest out of 381
- Dec 2016 unemployment rate: 4.2% — #115 lowest out of 381
Here are the Top 10 fastest-growing cities in America, according to the study:
- Jackson, Tennessee
- Manhattan, Kansas
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Longview, Texas
- Ames, Iowa
- Sumter, South Carolina
- Morristown, Tennessee
- Wausau-Weston, Wisconsin
- Gainesville, Florida
- Columbia, Missouri