According to the report, over the last five years, 30 metropolitan areas saw a population increase of more than 10%, and the one area that grew the most is The Villages, Florida. In fact, the area’s population grew 25.8% in the last year. But it isn’t young people who are moving there. The Villages population increase can be attributed to retirees, with 70% of the population 55 and older.
Top Ten Fastest Growing Cities In The U.S.
- The Villages, Florida
- Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC
- Midland, TX
- Austin-Round Rock, TX
- Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Greeley, CO
- Bend-Redmond, OR
- St. George, UT
- Odessa, TX
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
On the flipside, Farmington, New Mexico is one of the fastest shrinking cities in the U.S., which saw a 10% population drop, with poor economic conditions to blame for the flight.
Top Ten Shrinking Cities In The U.S.
- Farmington, NM
- Pine Bluff, AR
- Johnstown, PA
- Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ
- Danville, IL
- Decatur, IL
- Albany, GA
- Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
- Charleston, WV
- Beckley, WV
Source: 24/7 Wall Street