Smart Asset’s 10 Boomtowns

SmartAsset, a free-to-consumers, online financial modeling tool that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions around home buying, lending, retirement, etc., just released its latest “America’s Dream Towns” survey.

SmartAsset looked at unemployment rates, rate changes, housing unit changes, population changes, GDP growth, etc. in 581 cities around the country.

Here are its “America’s Top 10 Boomtowns for 2018.” Due to low and, in some cases, no taxes, Florida as a state “won” in a landslide with Texas and Tennessee each getting nods.

1. Tampa, FLA
   1. Population growth of 1.9% year over year
   2. Unemployment rate dropped by 1.5% to 3.2%
   3. GDP growth average of 4.2%
   4. Housing growth +3.4%
   5. Emerging start-up hub
   6. 70 degree temps on average, low crime rate and affordable housing
2. Round Rock, TX
   1. Net population growth of 2%
   2. New housing growth +5.2% in last 2 years
   3. Unemployment rate dropped by .6% to 3% last year
   4. Annual GDP growth over past 5 years is 4.9%
   5. 15 miles from Austin
   6. Industry clusters in software development, life sciences, clean energy, manufacturing
   7. Well respected schools, low crime rate
3. Town & Country, FLA
   1. Population growth of 1.9% yearly
   2. Number of new housing units increased by 3.5% last year
   3. Unemployment standing at 3.2%
   4. Close to Tampa International Airport
   5. Family friendly
4. Riverview, FLA
   1. Population growth of 1.9%
   2. New housing increased by +4% in one year
   3. Unemployment standing at 3.2%
   4. Local GDP up an average of 4.2%
   5. Close to Tampa, beautiful beaches
   6. Great schools
5. Spring Hill, FLA
   1. 40 miles north of Tampa
   2. Population growth +1.9%
   3. GDP up an average of 4.2%
   4. Unemployment highest among these top 10 at 4.3%
   5. Great outdoors, beautiful
   6. Strong community feel
   7. Large retired population
6. Petersburg, FLA
   1. Population increase +1.9%
   2. New housing growth up +4.3%
   3. Unemployment at 3.1%
   4. Guinness World Record of 768 days of consecutive sunshine
   5. Small-town neighborhood feel with choices of a large city
7. Franklin, TN
   1. Population growth of 1.7%
   2. New construction up a whopping 7.9%
   3. Unemployment is lowest of top 10 at 2.1%
   4. GDP average stands at 3.4%
   5. 14 miles from Nashville
   6. Quintessential American city with an historical downtown area
   7. Great health care companies
   8. Good schools
8. Palm Coast, FLA
   2. Population growth of +2.4% in one year
   3. New housing construction up a whopping 7.1%
   4. Unemployment at 3.9%
   5. GDP average is +4.2%
   6. Nature lover’s paradise
   7. Palm Coast Business Assistance Center provides incentives to starting/growing businesses
9. Largo, FLA
   1. 4^th largest city in Tampa Bay Area
   2. Population growth of 1.9%
   3. New housing construction whopping +7%
   4. GDFP average +4.2%
   5. Unemployment stands at 3.1%
   6. Affordable, relaxed, beaches
10. Cape Coral, FLA
    2. Population growth of +2.9% yearly
    3. New home construction at whopping 7.1%
    4. Unemployment stands at 3.5%
    5. 400 miles of canals
    6. Very popular with retired and 2^nd homeowners