The Rise of America’s New Boomtowns in 2025
We ranked U.S. cities by population growth, job gains, and income trends to uncover today’s top boomtowns.
Some cities are growing — and not just by a little. To find out where momentum is strongest, we analyzed migration trends, employment shifts, and income changes across dozens of U.S. metros. By looking at how these factors changed between 2018 and 2023, we identified the cities where growth isn't just happening — it's accelerating. The result is a ranking of America’s emerging boomtowns: places attracting new residents, expanding their economies, and seeing incomes rise faster than the national average. While some well-known cities continue to thrive, a growing number of smaller metros are quietly reshaping the national map by offering more affordable housing, stronger job markets, and a better quality of life. Here’s where the next wave of growth is taking shape.
Key Takeaways
- Sioux Falls, SD ranked #1 for Boomtowns in the U.S. with a 13.5% population increase and a 21% increase in average income.
- The northeast claimed over half of the top 20 Boomtown spots.
- Syracuse, NY had the highest employment rate percent change increase, at 7%.
- Roseville, CA had the highest population growth change, at 14.4%
Melanie Morris
Melanie Morris is an editor and writer at HireAHelper, where she uses observational skills honed from over 7 years of experience (and too much detective fiction) to demystify moving and make sure typos remain at a minimum.
Moving from the southwest up and down the west coast and back again has also given her plenty of firsthand moving experience. Now, she makes sure that even if you're just moving down the block, you have the accurate tips and know-how to make your relocation a breeze.
Sioux Falls, SD Leads, but Northeast Cities Crowd the Top 20 Boomtown Rankings
While Sioux Falls, SD ranked #1 in our boomtown analysis (thanks to strong population and income growth), the Northeast dominated the list, claiming 11 of the top 20 spots. A few other cities stood out in specific categories. Roseville, CA experienced the highest migration increase overall, with a 14.4% jump in population. As a suburb of Sacramento, Roseville offers a mix of suburban living, access to outdoor recreation, and relatively affordable housing, especially when compared to nearby Bay Area metros. All these factors might suggest why it’s seeing such an influx of new residents.
Syracuse, NY led the nation in employment gains, with a 7.2% rise in its employed labor force over five years. This surge may be linked to investments in tech and chip manufacturing, and ongoing growth in healthcare and education. Sioux Falls, SD, which ranked first overall in our boomtown analysis, also posted the largest increase in inflation-adjusted income — up 21.3%. The city’s rapidly growing economy is driven by expanding sectors such as tourism and manufacturing. A favorable business climate, combined with low taxes and an influx of talent, may also be fueling both wage growth and population increases. The map below shows the top 20 boomtowns based on migration increases, employment shifts, and income gains.
Top 20 Boomtown Metros in 2025
The Top 10 Emerging Boomtowns in America
Which U.S. cities are truly booming right now? Based on five years of data, we ranked cities by three key indicators of growth: population change, employment gains, and inflation-adjusted income increases. These metrics reveal where prosperity is on the rise. Among the top 10 cities, population growth reached as high as 14%, and average incomes rose by more than 20% — clear signs of strong economic momentum. Here’s a closer look at the 10 fastest-rising boomtowns, and what’s driving their growth:
1. Sioux Falls, SD
Migration to Sioux Falls increased by 13.5%, one of the highest gains across all metros studied. While employment held steady, average incomes surged more than 21% — the highest increase on our list. Home prices also increased 44% from 2020 to 2025, reflecting rising demand in a city known for its low taxes, growing finance and healthcare sectors, and pro-business climate.
2. Roseville, CA
Just northeast of Sacramento, Roseville saw a 14.4% population increase, leading the country in migration growth. While employment dipped slightly, home values rose by nearly 35%, and incomes grew modestly.
3. Worcester, MA
Worcester’s population grew nearly 12%, making it the fastest-growing metro in the Northeast. Although employment dipped slightly, incomes rose nearly 6%, and home prices climbed more than 60% over the past five years. Worcester is now gaining recognition as a rising tech and life sciences hub, boosted by local universities and biotech investment.
4. Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville posted a 9% migration increase, paired with positive job growth and a 7% income rise. Home prices rose over 50% in five years, as Florida’s no-income-tax policy and lower cost of living continue to drive growth in this fast-expanding metro.
5. Jersey City, NJ
Migration to Jersey City climbed nearly 10%, and incomes rose slightly even as employment held steady. Located just across the river from Manhattan, Jersey City saw home values rise by 27%, offering residents urban convenience at a (slightly) lower cost for both renters and homebuyers priced out of NYC.
6. Newark, NJ
Newark experienced an 8% increase in migration, with incomes rising more than 10%, despite a small decline in employment. The city continues to benefit from revitalization projects and its strategic location as a transit hub to New York City. Home prices rose roughly 50%, further signaling renewed interest in the area.
7. Providence, RI
Providence saw a 6.4% increase in population, along with job gains and an 11.6% rise in income. With a strong arts scene and a growing reputation as a startup-friendly city, Providence has become an attractive place to live. Home prices increased by over 60%, suggesting high demand in this capital.
8. Buffalo, NY
Buffalo’s migration rate rose about 7%, with growth in both jobs and income. The city has benefited from revitalization efforts and affordable housing, with home prices averaging well below national averages at roughly $225,000 in 2025. With a strong base in healthcare and tech, Buffalo is quietly becoming a Northeast hub.
9. Visalia, CA
Visalia posted an 8.4% migration increase, alongside job growth in agriculture and logistics. Although incomes dipped by about 5%, home prices rose more than 40%, driven by demand from buyers priced out of larger California metros.
10. Antioch, CA
Antioch saw a 5% migration gain, while incomes rose nearly 16% — one of the biggest jumps in the top 10. Located in the East Bay, Antioch has drawn new residents looking for more affordable housing within commuting distance of San Francisco.
How Does Your City Compare? See the Full Boomtown Rankings
While these 10 cities are leading the charge, not every metro we analyzed is seeing the same kind of growth. Below is a full ranking of all cities based on their combined migration, employment, and income changes, showing which metros are gaining momentum and which ones may be falling behind.
While major cities continue to draw new residents, this year's boomtown analysis shows that many of the fastest-growing metros are smaller, more affordable alternatives — especially across the Northeast and Midwest. As migration patterns shift and economic opportunities spread beyond traditional hubs, these emerging boomtowns may offer a glimpse into the future of where Americans are choosing to live, work, and build new communities.
Methodology and Sources
All data was taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, as available via IPUMS.
To identify emerging boomtowns, we compared changes in three key metrics between 2018 and 2023:
Population size
Employment rate (percentage of the labor force currently employed)
Average income (adjusted for inflation)
Cities were ranked using a weighted composite score:
Population size change accounted for 70% of the final score
Employment rate change accounted for 15%
Average income change accounted for 15%
Home price increases were calculated using Zillow’s home value data, comparing January 2020 prices to January 2025 prices.
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