16 hours ago
America's new boomtowns revealed
Americans are moving around at impressive rates, but some cities and states are loving it more than others. The places profiting most from migration in the US are not necessarily major cities - instead, it's the suburbs that surround them. Booming cities across the US are increasingly seeing their residents spill over into smaller nearby towns in search of bigger homes, more land and an easy commute to work.
These destinations are now bursting with development as people leave busy downtown areas behind. Whether they're searching for a slower lifestyle, better schools, lower cost of living or more bang for their buck when it comes to real estate, folks are taking relocating seriously. Here are the six US towns seeing a surge in population thanks to domestic migration, according to the US Census Bureau.
From Phoenix to Prescott, Arizona
Prescott, a suburb just outside Phoenix, has a rich history as a frontier gold and silver mining town. The area has long been a popular weekend, summer and vacation destination for Phoenix residents looking for an escape from the city. But now, it's seeing a booming migration that's long-term. 'It's cooler than Phoenix, we are almost 4,000-feet higher in elevation, so a lot of people are getting out of the heat,' local realtor Steven Button told the Daily Mail.
'And we're 120 miles from the center of Phoenix so we're not that far.' Button adds that nature is also a draw for people moving to the area. 'There's miles of trails and the Ponderosa pine forest,' he said. 'The other day I was showing homes and I had an antelope cross the road in front of me.' Around 85,000 new residents settled in Phoenix between 2023 and 2024, according to the US Census Bureau.
From Ft. Lauderdale to Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach, known locally as ' Florida 's Warmest Welcome' sits in the heart of the Gold Coast . It boasts some of the warmest and clearest ocean waters in the Sunshine State, and its beaches and three-mile shoreline are pristine. As Ft. Lauderdale residents made the move out more and more, Pompano restored its dunes, built tree-shaded playgrounds and added outdoor workout areas to its waterside. Pompano Beach, named for the Pompano - a species of tropical game fish that swim along the shoreline - is family friendly, and its beaches don't get crowded like more heavily populated areas, even though the number of residents has grown to 114,727, recorded by the US Census this year. The area has had an annual growth rate of 0.49 percent since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 111,957. In 2025, the median house price in the area was $369,000.
From Charlotte to Davidson, North Carolina
The population of Davidson - a suburb of Charlotte - has steadily risen as city residents move in, lured by its historic downtown and larger homes. In 2025, the population sits at over 14,000, which is up from 10,944 in 2010, according to the US Census. It's also more populated during the school year, as it's home to Davidson College. There's a walkable downtown and it hosts many annual cultural events, including fairs celebrating reading, biking and history.
From Park City to Ogden, Utah
Ogden, a suburb of Park City, is nestled in the Wasatch Mountains against the Great Salt Lake. As of the start of 2025, the population in Ogden sits at 87,247. According to Aterio, which forecasts population growth, Ogden is expected to continue to see a residential boom through 2030. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy plenty of recreation, including miles of wooded hiking and biking trails. It's also a short drive from ski resorts like Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley.
The landscape isn't the only perk to living here. Downtown provides an urban feel with restaurants and shopping, all with mountain views. Historic 25th Street was once home to Prohibition-era speakeasies. Now, at the street's end, Ogden Union Station houses museums that specialize in railroad, car and cowboy history. The suburb is home to George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, which features life-size dinosaur models and a paleontology lab. The average single family home costs $406,000, and the town is filled with family friendly activities - galleries, installations, murals, festivals and performance venues abound.
From Houston to The Woodlands, Texas
According to the 2025 US Census, The Woodlands, Texas, has a population of approximately 124,541. The number shows an estimated population growth of 1.67 percent annually since the 2020 US census report. The Woodlands is a town built around kayaking, paddle boarding, golfing and live music. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy miles of hiking trails or strolling the massive promenade called The Waterway or go climbing at Texas TreeVentures, an aerial adventure course nestled among the trees.
From Dallas to Frisco, Texas
Upscale shopping and fine dining is at the heart of Frisco, a ritzy suburb of Dallas. The town of more than 200,000 people is home to numerous shopping centers and over 400 restaurants that offer food from all around the world. Frisco has it all without the hustle and bustle of the city, located just 25 minutes north of downtown Dallas. The population of Frisco, as of 2025, is 239,842, according to the US Census. That's an increase of 18.29 percent since the 2020 census.
The town grew out of one of the oldest north-to-south roads in Texas called Preston Road, which was originally used to bring cattle into the state. At the turn of the 20th century, the arrival of the railroad would further spur growth in Frisco, when the San Francisco-St. Louis Railway linked the suburb with a direct connection to Dallas, Tulsa, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. If you're a sports fan, the Dallas Cowboys practice at The Star, and Major League Soccer team FC Dallas plays at Toyota Stadium. Frisco has four first-class golf courses, spas and multiple breweries within its borders. But it's not cheap - the average price of a single-family home in Frisco is $724,000.
