America's top 10 boomtowns, and why they're blossoming
Booming in the USA

Is your hometown on the up? After crunching the data for 494 of America's largest cities – and ranking factors such as unemployment rates, population change, and GDP growth – financial technology company SmartAsset has revealed the top 10 boomtowns in the US right now.
Read on to discover whether your city made the list. All dollar values in US dollars.
10. Chino, California

With an average yearly GDP growth of 1.7%, Chino, which is located in San Bernardino County, California, is the first city to land a place in SmartAsset's official top 10.
The median household income for the city's population of around 93,000 people has increased by 42% over the last five years and now sits at $97,473.
Meanwhile, the number of housing units in Chino has grown by 30%, meaning there are currently 27,283 homes in the city.
Why choose Chino?

Believed to take its name from the Spanish word for "curly," Chino is located next to the city of Chino Hills, which offers over 3,000 acres of public space.
Once a hive of agricultural activity, Chino is becoming increasingly industrialized. And it's not just a commuter town. According to the Chamber of Commerce, the city is home to thousands of businesses all of its own.
Be that as it may, it still offers relative peace and quiet compared to neighboring Los Angeles.
9. Lewisville, Texas

When it comes to registered businesses, Lewisville has seen the third-largest percentage growth of any city in the top 10, with an increase of 22.86%.
The city is mainly located in Denton County, Texas, which SmartAsset ranks as 10th best for business growth and 21st best for GDP growth, with a small portion sitting in Dallas County.
Lewisville's population has grown by 7.81% over the last five years, while its average household income has increased by 30%.
Why live in Lewisville?

Located just a half-hour drive from Dallas and on the banks of Lake Lewisville, the city offers its residents the best of all worlds, with easy access to both city life and open space.
Lewisville is one of the safest cities in Texas, with a lower-than-average crime rate for the Lone Star State. In addition to that, its independent school district is growing fast due to increased investment in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
8. Pasco, Washington

The county seat of Franklin County and part of Washington's Tri-Cities region, Pasco saw its average household income climb by almost 45% between 2016 and 2021.
Although its average yearly GDP growth isn't as high as some of the other cities in the top 10, at a modest 2.93%, the number of housing units and businesses in Pasco have both grown impressively over the last five years, by 18.77% and 18.33% respectively.
The city's population has also seen an increase, rising by 17.04%.
The pros of Pasco

While business may be booming in Franklin County, it's far from all work and no play in Pasco.
Located in southeast Washington, the city enjoys hot summers and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its enviable position on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.
It's also home to various waterfront parks and is just two miles from Tri-Cities Airport, the state's third-largest commercial airport.
7. Menifee, California

Of all the boomtowns that SmartAsset analyzed, Menifee in Riverside County, California, had the 10th-highest population growth between 2016 and 2021.
As a result, the number of people who call Menifee "home" has increased by 20.21%, meaning there are now roughly 106,400 residents.
This population growth has been accompanied by a housing boom of 19.7%, a 14.62% increase in the number of businesses, and a 42% rise in the average household income.
Menifee's main attractions

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Menifee boasts hot summers and mild winters, which are arguably perfect conditions for exploring the city's 38 parks.
It's less than 15 miles from the city of Temecula and shares borders with Murrieta, one of California's fastest-growing areas.
That said, there's no shortage of development going on in Menifee itself. This includes a new bike park, which is the largest in Southern California, as well as the state's first solar and battery-powered housing community.
6. Conroe, Texas

The second of three Lone Star State cities in the top 10, Conroe is located in Montgomery County.
Its highest score is for housing growth, with the number of homes in the city increasing by 25.3% over the last five years. During the same period, Conroe's population grew by 14.71% and its GDP rose by an annual average of 3.9%.
Few cons to Conroe

According to the Visit Conroe website, the area is the fastest-growing city in Texas – but there's so much more to it than just urban development.
Located on the edge of the East Texas Piney Woods, Conroe borders the 22,000-acre Lake Conroe and several state forests, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, its historic downtown boasts a theater, taverns, coffee houses, and plenty of live music venues. In fact, the city is a designated Music Friendly Community, making it ideal for players and listeners alike.
5. Fort Myers, Florida

In fifth place, Fort Myers is the only location in the Sunshine State to make the top 10.
A newcomer to the list, Fort Myers has seen its population increase by 19.56% since 2016. The numbers of housing units and businesses have risen by 27.65% and 14.86% respectively, while the city's average household income has grown by 47%.
Why fall for Fort Myers?

Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County and is widely considered to be a gateway to southwest Florida, with tourist attractions including the impressive winter homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
The daily mean temperature rarely dips below 70°F and the city's beaches, parks, and nature reserves are no doubt a draw for the people who are considering a move to Fort Myers.
What's more, it has a lower-than-average crime rate and 13 of its local high schools are on the U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools list.
4. New Braunfels, Texas

The third Texan city in the top 10 is New Braunfels, which is located across the counties of Comal and Guadalupe.
A suburb close to San Antonio, New Braunfels boasts the second-highest population and housing growth in SmartAsset's rankings, at 36.10% and 40.86% respectively. The number of businesses in the city has increased by 23.94%.
Interestingly, Comal County as a whole is proving wildly popular for start-ups in general. The area had the country's eighth-highest business growth rate between 2015 and 2020 (23.94%), and an average annual GDP growth of over 4%.
Looking for a new life in New Braunfels?

New Braunfels offers easy proximity to the urban centers of San Antonio and Austin, and for those looking to escape the daily grind of city life, the suburb sits on the banks of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers.
Basking in an average of 225 days of sunshine each year, the city's climate is a serious selling point, while the historic Gruene district preserves picturesque German-Texan architecture from the 1800s. One more factor in its favor? The cost of living in New Braunfels is also slightly lower than the US average.
3. Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro is the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, and is the only city in the Volunteer State to make the top 10.
Since 2016, Murfreesboro has seen its population increase by 19.38%, with the newcomers welcomed by a 15.13% jump in the number of businesses and a 31.47% rise in the number of housing units.
The typical household income has also shot up, increasing by 41.95% over the last five years.
Why move to Murfreesboro?

Located around 34 miles from downtown Nashville, Murfreesboro's official website reports that it has previously been voted "Most Livable Town in Tennessee."
The cost of living in the city is pretty average for the US, despite rapid development currently seeing it add more than 170 miles to its existing greenways system. The area also boasts a wealth of museums, malls, and annual festivals.
2. Meridian, Idaho

Meridian, Idaho is climbing up the SmartAsset rankings fast, and has moved from third to second place over the course of the last year.
The city ranks in the top five for population growth (31.72%), as well as for its increase in the number of housing units (39.23%). What's more, business is clearly brisk in Ada County, where Meridian is located, as the number of companies registered in the city has increased by 20.02% since 2016.
The magic of Meridian

Once a small dairy farming community, Meridian is now a desirable city in the heart of Treasure Valley.
It's located just a short drive from downtown Boise and Boise Airport, and is also within easy reach of hiking trails, fishing lakes, and a handful of ski resorts.
With the best of both worlds on its doorstep, it's easy to see why the tagline on the city's official website is "Built for business... Designed for living."
1. Nampa, Idaho

And Meridian isn't the only boomtown in Idaho. Topping SmartAsset's list is Nampa, a Boise suburb that's firmly on the up.
Between 2016 and 2021, Nampa's population increased by 16.21%, available housing grew by 22.24%, and average household incomes rose by 43.99%. It's currently the Gem State's third-largest city.
The need-to-know of Nampa

With 14 miles of pedestrian pathways and 27 public parks, including the 44-acre Lakeview Park, Nampa is a haven for people who love the great outdoors.
Much like nearby Meridian, Nampa offers proximity to both the urban center of Boise and a wealth of wildlife. The recent opening of an Amazon fulfillment center in the city has also brought in an influx of new job opportunities. At the time of writing, there are a number of vacancies advertised at the center on the careers website Indeed.com.
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