America’s Fastest Growing Cities Due to Climate and Strong Economies

US population growth, like much of the world’s most economically advanced countries, plummeted to an 80-year low of 0.6% y/y in 2018.

Are any metros experiencing growth despite this plummeting population growth? Yes, according to 24/7Wall St. How? People 60+ are driving growth to warmer climates and metros attracting younger people with strong job markets, healthy economies and metros appealing to those wanting to start and raise families.

Here are two lists of metros from 24/7WallSt…one focusing on metros growing due to warm climates for older Americans choosing to relocate and one focusing on strong economies, job markets and family oriented communities.

24/7WallSt List of Metros with Appealing Climates

24/7WallSt compared population growth from 2010 to 2018.

1. Charleston SC
   66. Average temperature – 66.7 degrees
   67. Average rainy days – 107
   68. Average sunny cays – NA
2. Santa Barbara CA
   1. Average temperature – 59 degrees
   2. Average rainy days – 36
   3. Average sunny days – NA
3. San Francisco
   57. Average temperature – 57.3 degrees
   58. Average rainy days – 67
   59. Average sunny days – NA
4. Vevo Beach FL
   1. Average temperature – 73 degrees
   2. Average rainy days – 121
   3. Average sunny days – NA
5. Honolulu HI
   77. Average temperature – 77.7 degrees
   78. Average rainy days – 93
   79. Average sunny days – 94
6. Galveston TX
   71. Average temperature – 71.2 degrees
   72. Average rainy days – 96
   73. Average sunny days – NA
7. Lihue HI
   75. Average temperature – 75.8 degrees
   76. Average rainy days – 197
   77. Average sunny days – 125
8. Gainesville FL
   68. Average temperature – 68.9 degrees
   69. Average rainy days – 17
   70. Average sunny days 17
9. Dallas TX
   67. Average temperature – 67.1 degrees
   68. Average rainy days – 79
   69. Average sunny days – NA
10. Kahului HI
    75. Average temperature – 75.8 degrees
    76. Average rainy days – 88
    77. Average sunny days – 90
11. Daytona Beach FL
    70. Average temperature – 70.8 degrees
    71. Average rainy days – 115
    72. Average sunny days – 136
12. Brownsville TX
    74. Average temperature – 74.5 degrees
    75. Average rainy days – 71
    76. Average sunny days – 138
13. Walla Walla WA
    53. Average temperature – 53.5 degrees
    54. Average rainy days – 107
    55. Average sunny days – NA
14. Victoria TX
    70. Average temperature – 70.2 days
    71. Average rainy days – 90
    72. Average sunny days – 162
15. Corpus Christi TX
    70. Average temperature – 70.1 degrees
    71. Average rainy days – 76
    72. Average sunny days – 142

With 170 days/year of temperatures 90 + degrees, Phoenix did not make this list.

24/7WallSt List of Metros with Strong Economies, Job Markets & Family Oriented Communities

Again, 24/7WallSt. compared population growth from 2010 – 2018.

1. The Villages FL – +36.6% population (54% of that 36.6% growth rate is of retirement age)
   5. Unemployment rate of 5.1%
   6. Median income – $54,771
2. Myrtle Beach – Conway – North Myrtle Beach SC/NC – +27.1% population growth
   5. Unemployment rate – 5.0%
   6. Median income – $47,732
3. Midland TX – +25.8% population growth (fastest growth)
4. Unemployment rate – 2.2%
5. Median income – $75.570

4. Austin – Round Rock TX – +25.5 population growth
   3. Unemployment rate – 3.0&
   4. Median income – $69,717
5. George UT – +24.1% population growth (fastest city in growing state)
   3. Unemployment rate – 3.4%
   4. Median income – $55,175
6. Greeley CO – +23.6% population growth
   3. Unemployment rate – 3.2%
   4. Median income – $66,489
7. Bend – Redmond OR – +21.7% population growth
   5. Unemployment rate – 5.2%
   6. Median income – $59,152
8. Cape Coral – Fort Meyer FL – +21.6% population growth
   3. Unemployment rate – 3.3%
   4. Median income – $52,052
9. Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford FL – +20.3% population growth
   3. Unemployment rate – 3.2%
   4. Median income – $52,261
10. Raleigh SC – +19.8%
    3. Unemployment rate – 3.7% population growth
    4. Median income – $68,870
11. Provo – Orem UT – +19.0% population growth
    2. Unemployment rate – 2.8%
    3. Median income – $66,742
12. Daphine – Fairhope – Foley AL – +19.1% population growth
    3. Unemployment rate – 3.7%
    4. Median income – $52,562
13. Odessa RX – +18.3% population growth
    2. Unemployment rate – 2.7%
    3. Median income – $59,528
14. Boise ID – +18.3% population growth
    3. Unemployment rate – 3.3%
    4. Median income – $54,120
15. Crestview – Fort Walton Beach – Westin FL – +18.1% population growth
    3. Unemployment rate – 3.0%
    4. Median income – $57,421