Biggest Boomtowns in Every State

Joel Anderson
South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.
South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.

Boomtown. The word sounds like it’s describing an explosion — and in a way, it is. Boomtowns are considered the fastest-growing cities in America due to rapid business and population growth. An example of such a place is Horizon West, Florida, which saw massive five- and eight-year percentage changes in population at 113.72% and 222.30%, respectively. In terms of numbers, the population jumped from 10,093 people in 2010 to 32,530 in 2018. Per capita income also grew from $32,800 to $38,050 over the course of those eight years.

Read: The 50 Cities Best Prepared To Reignite Their Economy and Job Market

But Horizon West isn’t the only boomtown out there. GOBankingRates found one in every state by looking at the one-, five- and eight-year changes in population, owner-occupied housing units and per capita income of more than 1,700 cities. To qualify as a boomtown on this list, cities had to have a population of less than 500,000. So, some of the boomtowns, such as Omaha, Nebraska and New Orleans are fast approaching that 500,000 threshold.

Find out if you’re living in one of America’s thriving cities, and read the final analysis of what these places have in common.

Last updated: Jan. 29, 2021

Madison, Alabama
Madison, Alabama

Alabama: Madison

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 2.54%

    • 5 years: 9.61%

    • 8 years: 19.81%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 5.33%

    • 5 years: 9.51%

    • 8 years: 20.16%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.15%

    • 5 years: 9.21%

    • 8 years: 19.58%

Beautiful view along the dock at Anchorage, Alaska - Image.
Beautiful view along the dock at Anchorage, Alaska - Image.

Alaska: Anchorage

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: -0.71%

    • 5 years: 0.30%

    • 8 years: 4.17%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.73%

    • 5 years: 1.70%

    • 8 years: 0.71%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 2.21%

    • 5 years: 10.01%

    • 8 years: 14.88%

QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA - April 21, 2019: Town of Queen Creek, Arizona sign located near the intersection of West Combs road and North Gantzel road in Queen Creek, Arizona.
QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA - April 21, 2019: Town of Queen Creek, Arizona sign located near the intersection of West Combs road and North Gantzel road in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Arizona: Queen Creek

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 8.27%

    • 5 years: 32.94%

    • 8 years: 56.38%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 7.94%

    • 5 years: 43.13%

    • 8 years: 65.54%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.91%

    • 5 years: 15.21%

    • 8 years: 32.13%

Bentonville, Arkansas / USA - March 24 2019: Sunset over Beautiful Downtown Bentonville Square, Benton County Court House building, Northwest Arkansas, confederate statue.
Bentonville, Arkansas / USA - March 24 2019: Sunset over Beautiful Downtown Bentonville Square, Benton County Court House building, Northwest Arkansas, confederate statue.

Arkansas: Bentonville

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 5.06%

    • 5 years: 26.19%

    • 8 years: 43.36%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 6.86%

    • 5 years: 19.05%

    • 8 years: 30.94%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 1.64%

    • 5 years: 19.63%

    • 8 years: 43.57%

Look Here: America’s Best Suburbs for Growing Families

Coachella California
Coachella California

California: Coachella

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.05%

    • 5 years: 7.75%

    • 8 years: 17.58%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 18.02%

    • 5 years: 69.27%

    • 8 years: 77.31%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 12.69%

    • 5 years: 36.60%

    • 8 years: 34.95%

Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.

Colorado: Colorado Springs

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.67%

    • 5 years: 7.44%

    • 8 years: 13.25%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.24%

    • 5 years: 6.44%

    • 8 years: 4.32%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.85%

    • 5 years: 11.96%

    • 8 years: 14.57%

Aerial panorama of Stamford, Connecticut - Image.
Aerial panorama of Stamford, Connecticut - Image.

Connecticut: Stamford

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.14%

    • 5 years: 4.06%

    • 8 years: 6.72%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: -0.66%

    • 5 years: 5.26%

    • 8 years: 0.09%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 5.39%

    • 5 years: 26.15%

    • 8 years: 23.27%

Newark, Delaware
Newark, Delaware

Delaware: Newark

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.33%

    • 5 years: 4.38%

    • 8 years: 7.21%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 5.97%

    • 5 years: 3.56%

    • 8 years: 6.17%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.07%

    • 5 years: 11.15%

    • 8 years: 16.06%

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21st: Sculpture art of seagulls taking flight at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida on May 21st, 2016.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MAY 21st: Sculpture art of seagulls taking flight at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida on May 21st, 2016.

Florida: Horizon West

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 28.25%

    • 5 years: 113.72%

    • 8 years: 222.30%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 22.60%

    • 5 years: 89.81%

    • 8 years: 159.91%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.23%

    • 5 years: 18.56%

    • 8 years: 16.01%

Pictured: Orlando, Florida, is the nearest metropolitan area to Horizon West

CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA - July 31, 2006: A city hall is the chief administrative building of a city.
CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA - July 31, 2006: A city hall is the chief administrative building of a city.

Georgia: Chamblee

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.11%

    • 5 years: 97.35%

    • 8 years: 194.82%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 7.57%

    • 5 years: 75.74%

    • 8 years: 229.32%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 10.95%

    • 5 years: 11.58%

    • 8 years: 30.32%

Be In the Action: The Most Affordable Downtowns To Live In Across America

Maui, Hawaii, USA - March 15, 2012: People paddle outrigger canoes off the beach at sunrise.
Maui, Hawaii, USA - March 15, 2012: People paddle outrigger canoes off the beach at sunrise.

Hawaii: Kahului

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 5.23%

    • 5 years: 22.73%

    • 8 years: 30.75%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 7.36%

    • 5 years: 28.32%

    • 8 years: 19.51%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.96%

    • 5 years: 9.66%

    • 8 years: 16.75%

Meridian Idaho aerial neighborhood photo
Meridian Idaho aerial neighborhood photo

Idaho: Meridian

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 5.54%

    • 5 years: 24.27%

    • 8 years: 40.69%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 5.50%

    • 5 years: 31.81%

    • 8 years: 40.87%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 9.14%

    • 5 years: 23.54%

    • 8 years: 23.06%

Oswego, Illinois
Oswego, Illinois

Illinois: Oswego

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.85%

    • 5 years: 10.78%

    • 8 years: 24.04%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 4.97%

    • 5 years: 16.80%

    • 8 years: 23.22%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.97%

    • 5 years: 17.85%

    • 8 years: 16.21%

View of the fountain in the campus of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in summer - Image.
View of the fountain in the campus of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in summer - Image.

Indiana: West Lafayette

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.69%

    • 5 years: 56.70%

    • 8 years: 60.93%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 4.91%

    • 5 years: 18.87%

    • 8 years: 17.18%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.22%

    • 5 years: -8.06%

    • 8 years: -2.39%

Sunlight and shadow highlight an empty picnic table and grill at a disc golf park in Ankeny, Iowa.
Sunlight and shadow highlight an empty picnic table and grill at a disc golf park in Ankeny, Iowa.

Iowa: Ankeny

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 5.18%

    • 5 years: 24.31%

    • 8 years: 40.13%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 7.76%

    • 5 years: 18.38%

    • 8 years: 26.22%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 6.11%

    • 5 years: 19.83%

    • 8 years: 23.44%

Sunset over Shawnee Mission Park, Lenexa, Kansas.
Sunset over Shawnee Mission Park, Lenexa, Kansas.

Kansas: Lenexa

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.96%

    • 5 years: 8.44%

    • 8 years: 12.66%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.31%

    • 5 years: 9.52%

    • 8 years: 7.64%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.63%

    • 5 years: 24.01%

    • 8 years: 20.70%

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MAY 13, 2017: Lexington hosts a farmer's market downtown every Saturday year round.
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MAY 13, 2017: Lexington hosts a farmer's market downtown every Saturday year round.

Kentucky: Lexington-Fayette

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.15%

    • 5 years: 5.95%

    • 8 years: 10.65%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.97%

    • 5 years: 3.24%

    • 8 years: 2.04%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.14%

    • 5 years: 12.70%

    • 8 years: 16.30%

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New-Orleans-Louisiana
New-Orleans-Louisiana

Louisiana: New Orleans

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.38%

    • 5 years: 9.14%

    • 8 years: 31.96%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 0.20%

    • 5 years: 4.08%

    • 8 years: 26.91%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.08%

    • 5 years: 13.88%

    • 8 years: 21.05%

South Portland, Maine, USA with the Portland Breakwater Light at dawn.
South Portland, Maine, USA with the Portland Breakwater Light at dawn.

Maine: South Portland

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.33%

    • 5 years: 1.76%

    • 8 years: 2.87%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.12%

    • 5 years: 4.47%

    • 8 years: -4.40%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.25%

    • 5 years: 21.24%

    • 8 years: 27.23%

Aerial scenic view of the Chesapeake Bay in Pasadena, Maryland, on a warm evening in the springtime.
Aerial scenic view of the Chesapeake Bay in Pasadena, Maryland, on a warm evening in the springtime.

Maryland: Pasadena

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 3.11%

    • 5 years: 14.34%

    • 8 years: 27.71%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 6.67%

    • 5 years: 18.08%

    • 8 years: 23.04%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 5.30%

    • 5 years: 13.55%

    • 8 years: 18.77%

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA skyline at twilight.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA skyline at twilight.

Massachusetts: Cambridge

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.30%

    • 5 years: 9.39%

    • 8 years: 11.75%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.09%

    • 5 years: 6.61%

    • 8 years: -0.27%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.06%

    • 5 years: 15.25%

    • 8 years: 22.29%

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA downtown skyline on the Grand River at dusk.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA downtown skyline on the Grand River at dusk.

Michigan: Forest Hills

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.26%

    • 5 years: 4.41%

    • 8 years: 9.91%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.25%

    • 5 years: 6.22%

    • 8 years: 11.83%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.51%

    • 5 years: 13.15%

    • 8 years: 24.09%

Pictured: Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the nearest metropolitan area to Forest Hills

Bridge overlooking a small creek at the Maple Grove Arboretum on a sunny autumn day.
Bridge overlooking a small creek at the Maple Grove Arboretum on a sunny autumn day.

Minnesota: Maple Grove

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.77%

    • 5 years: 10.32%

    • 8 years: 17.84%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.94%

    • 5 years: 13.56%

    • 8 years: 18.75%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.96%

    • 5 years: 14.09%

    • 8 years: 20.65%

Sunset in Mississippi.
Sunset in Mississippi.

Mississippi: Olive Branch

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.91%

    • 5 years: 7.84%

    • 8 years: 15.08%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 4.85%

    • 5 years: 8.96%

    • 8 years: 4.32%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.95%

    • 5 years: 12.41%

    • 8 years: 11.09%

Wentzville Missouri
Wentzville Missouri

Missouri: Wentzville

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.80%

    • 5 years: 23.57%

    • 8 years: 47.66%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 4.35%

    • 5 years: 16.55%

    • 8 years: 39.26%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 5.30%

    • 5 years: 11.75%

    • 8 years: 16.33%

Find Out: The Richest Small Town in Every State

BOZEMAN, MT -7 SEP 2018- View of downtown Bozeman, Montana, home to the campus of Montana State University (MSU).
BOZEMAN, MT -7 SEP 2018- View of downtown Bozeman, Montana, home to the campus of Montana State University (MSU).

Montana: Bozeman

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.61%

    • 5 years: 18.11%

    • 8 years: 23.82%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.20%

    • 5 years: 11.71%

    • 8 years: 17.25%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.02%

    • 5 years: 14.93%

    • 8 years: 16.25%

Downtown Omaha skyline with a Lake and a large ornate fountain in the Heartland of America Park.
Downtown Omaha skyline with a Lake and a large ornate fountain in the Heartland of America Park.

Nebraska: Omaha

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.44%

    • 5 years: 10.09%

    • 8 years: 14.18%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 0.77%

    • 5 years: 8.63%

    • 8 years: 8.29%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 5.21%

    • 5 years: 17.06%

    • 8 years: 21.72%

aerial view of the Mountains Edge master planned community in Enterprise, Nevada
aerial view of the Mountains Edge master planned community in Enterprise, Nevada

Nevada: Enterprise

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 5.48%

    • 5 years: 38.37%

    • 8 years: 65.07%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 6.20%

    • 5 years: 35.99%

    • 8 years: 45.95%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 2.96%

    • 5 years: 7.34%

    • 8 years: 3.46%

The Nashua River, in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The Nashua River, in Nashua, New Hampshire.

New Hampshire: Nashua

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.10%

    • 5 years: 2.12%

    • 8 years: 1.80%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.25%

    • 5 years: -1.42%

    • 8 years: -6.54%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.92%

    • 5 years: 16.92%

    • 8 years: 15.77%

Aerial of Rahway New Jersey.
Aerial of Rahway New Jersey.

New Jersey: Rahway

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: -0.25%

    • 5 years: 6.03%

    • 8 years: 8.91%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.25%

    • 5 years: 9.20%

    • 8 years: 7.05%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 12.66%

    • 5 years: 35.53%

    • 8 years: 31.96%

Hillside houses and trees in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hillside houses and trees in Santa Fe, New Mexico

New Mexico: Santa Fe

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.04%

    • 5 years: 21.87%

    • 8 years: 24.06%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: -0.69%

    • 5 years: 14.95%

    • 8 years: 12.84%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.55%

    • 5 years: 6.04%

    • 8 years: 4.38%

Uniondale, New York
Uniondale, New York

New York: Uniondale

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.73%

    • 5 years: 30.42%

    • 8 years: 29.93%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.45%

    • 5 years: 20.48%

    • 8 years: 12.70%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.01%

    • 5 years: 20.55%

    • 8 years: 25.85%

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Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Skyline Aerial.
Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Skyline Aerial.

North Carolina: Raleigh

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.71%

    • 5 years: 10.28%

    • 8 years: 19.45%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 0.96%

    • 5 years: 6.51%

    • 8 years: 10.32%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 5.07%

    • 5 years: 21.02%

    • 8 years: 22.59%

West Fargo North Dakota
West Fargo North Dakota

North Dakota: West Fargo

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.02%

    • 5 years: 27.41%

    • 8 years: 44.21%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.11%

    • 5 years: 22.25%

    • 8 years: 33.57%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.27%

    • 5 years: 30.78%

    • 8 years: 43.54%

Hilliard Ohio neighborhood from the air.
Hilliard Ohio neighborhood from the air.

Ohio: Hilliard

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 3.72%

    • 5 years: 20.02%

    • 8 years: 29.67%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.01%

    • 5 years: 19.07%

    • 8 years: 29.71%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.51%

    • 5 years: 21.95%

    • 8 years: 29.56%

Owasso, Oklahoma
Owasso, Oklahoma

Oklahoma: Owasso

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 2.92%

    • 5 years: 16.65%

    • 8 years: 32.49%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.01%

    • 5 years: 22.01%

    • 8 years: 27.14%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 2.79%

    • 5 years: 14.31%

    • 8 years: 16.11%

View of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon
View of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon

Oregon: Bend

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 3.82%

    • 5 years: 15.84%

    • 8 years: 21.76%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 6.87%

    • 5 years: 18.02%

    • 8 years: 16.24%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.62%

    • 5 years: 23.16%

    • 8 years: 23.70%

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania: Plum

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: -0.31%

    • 5 years: 0.17%

    • 8 years: 1.69%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.14%

    • 5 years: 6.23%

    • 8 years: 10.30%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.45%

    • 5 years: 22.24%

    • 8 years: 25.37%

Pictured: Pittsburgh is the nearest metropolitan area to Plum

Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States.
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States.

Rhode Island: Cranston

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.27%

    • 5 years: 0.90%

    • 8 years: 0.76%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.34%

    • 5 years: 4.05%

    • 8 years: 0.12%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 3.25%

    • 5 years: 11.50%

    • 8 years: 17.59%

"Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant South Carolina
"Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant South Carolina

South Carolina: Mount Pleasant

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 3.77%

    • 5 years: 19.35%

    • 8 years: 30.36%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.98%

    • 5 years: 16.80%

    • 8 years: 25.10%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.74%

    • 5 years: 32.82%

    • 8 years: 32.42%

Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 2.20%

    • 5 years: 10.45%

    • 8 years: 17.00%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.41%

    • 5 years: 10.85%

    • 8 years: 15.26%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 2.06%

    • 5 years: 15.40%

    • 8 years: 15.06%

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Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Tennessee: Mount Juliet

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 4.73%

    • 5 years: 27.57%

    • 8 years: 50.00%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 4.45%

    • 5 years: 24.33%

    • 8 years: 38.96%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.21%

    • 5 years: 17.61%

    • 8 years: 19.40%

View of Sugar Land Town Square in Texas
View of Sugar Land Town Square in Texas

Texas: Sugar Land

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 36.02%

    • 5 years: 46.35%

    • 8 years: 55.34%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 36.92%

    • 5 years: 47.55%

    • 8 years: 58.43%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 2.32%

    • 5 years: 16.19%

    • 8 years: 25.05%

Herriman, Utah
Herriman, Utah

Utah: Herriman

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 11.48%

    • 5 years: 52.18%

    • 8 years: 94.46%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 18.51%

    • 5 years: 66.07%

    • 8 years: 78.86%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.11%

    • 5 years: 34.32%

    • 8 years: 30.04%

Burlington Vermont
Burlington Vermont

Vermont: Burlington

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.14%

    • 5 years: 0.43%

    • 8 years: 1.38%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: -1.80%

    • 5 years: -7.94%

    • 8 years: -9.72%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.21%

    • 5 years: 6.54%

    • 8 years: 12.82%

Leesburg, USA - August 6, 2014: Main Street in Historic Town of Leesburg, Virginia with stores, restaurants and parked cars.
Leesburg, USA - August 6, 2014: Main Street in Historic Town of Leesburg, Virginia with stores, restaurants and parked cars.

Virginia: Leesburg

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 2.18%

    • 5 years: 16.84%

    • 8 years: 28.03%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.60%

    • 5 years: 26.56%

    • 8 years: 20.97%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 8.40%

    • 5 years: 21.32%

    • 8 years: 23.09%

Sammamish Washington
Sammamish Washington

Washington: Sammamish

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.86%

    • 5 years: 34.09%

    • 8 years: 47.78%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 1.17%

    • 5 years: 33.38%

    • 8 years: 44.24%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.11%

    • 5 years: 18.24%

    • 8 years: 26.96%

Panorama of the autumn fall colors surrounding Cheat Lake near Morgantown, West Virginia.
Panorama of the autumn fall colors surrounding Cheat Lake near Morgantown, West Virginia.

West Virginia: Morgantown

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 1.46%

    • 5 years: 2.35%

    • 8 years: 5.03%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 3.32%

    • 5 years: 13.93%

    • 8 years: 16.07%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 7.53%

    • 5 years: 29.20%

    • 8 years: 51.48%

Bike Path Bridge.
Bike Path Bridge.

Wisconsin: Fitchburg

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 2.89%

    • 5 years: 12.11%

    • 8 years: 17.40%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 5.05%

    • 5 years: 16.61%

    • 8 years: 18.48%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 11.35%

    • 5 years: 19.34%

    • 8 years: 16.73%

CHEYENNE, WYOMING - APRIL 27, 2018: View of historic downtown Cheyenne Wyoming.
CHEYENNE, WYOMING - APRIL 27, 2018: View of historic downtown Cheyenne Wyoming.

Wyoming: Cheyenne

  • Change in population:

    • 1 year: 0.41%

    • 5 years: 4.49%

    • 8 years: 9.16%

  • Change in owner-occupied housing units:

    • 1 year: 2.66%

    • 5 years: 15.53%

    • 8 years: 13.75%

  • Change in per capita income:

    • 1 year: 4.12%

    • 5 years: 20.14%

    • 8 years: 22.84%

Bentonville, Arkansas / United States - March 20, 2009: Sunset over Beautiful Downtown Bentonville in Spring.
Bentonville, Arkansas / United States - March 20, 2009: Sunset over Beautiful Downtown Bentonville in Spring.

Biggest Boomtowns in Every State: Insights

It’s not presently clear how the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing recession might change the population trends observed here. Will the boomtowns of today become the ghost towns of tomorrow? Or will the things drawing people to these places only be amplified more by the massive changes shifting below the sands? The simple fact is that however much these cities are growing now and have in the recent past, these sort of migration trends change over time.

So if you’re thinking you want to find the next boomtown and get in before it really takes off, your chances might still be good. After all, the next boomtown is just a population explosion away.

More From GOBankingRates

Chris Jennings and Erica Corbin contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the biggest boomtowns in every state by analyzing 1,722 U.S. cities with populations of under 500,000 but above 25,000 as sourced from the 2018 American Community Survey and evaluated them by the following criteria: (1) one-year change in total population by percentage; (2) one-year change in total population by number of people; (3) five-year change in total population by percentage; (4) five-year change in total population by number of people; (5) eight-year change in total population by percentage; (6) eight-year change in total population by number of people; (6) one-year change in amount of occupied housing units by percentage; (7) one-year change in amount of occupied housing units by number of units; (8) five-year change in amount of occupied housing units by percentage; (9) five-year change in amount of occupied housing units by number of units; (10) eight-year change in amount of occupied housing units by percentage; (11) eight-year change in amount of occupied housing units by number of units; (12) one-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by percentage; (13) one-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by number of homes; (14) five-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by percentage; (15) five-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by number of homes; (16) eight-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by percentage; (17) eight-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by number of homes;
(18) one-year change in per capita income by percentage; (19) one-year change in per capita income by dollars; (20) five-year change in per capita income by percentage; (21) five-year change in per capita income by dollars; (22) eight-year change in per capita income by percentage; and (23) eight-year change in per capita income by dollars. All data was sourced from the 2018, 2017, 2013 and 2010 American Community Surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. All factors were scored, added together and cities then ranked, with the best-scoring city being the biggest boomtown in the state. All data was gathered and is up to date as of July 6, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Biggest Boomtowns in Every State

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