Population growth can trigger a series of effects on the local economy, influencing various aspects such as housing demand, the vitality of local businesses, and the resilience of infrastructure. Analyzing population changes and their dynamics offers valuable insights into the broader economic landscape and help residents to make informed financial decisions.
To identify areas with the most significant population growth from 2017 to 2022, including shifts in gender balance, SmartAsset conducted an analysis of the latest U.S. population data for 344 of the largest cities. The following key findings emerged:
Southwestern cities emerged as the leaders in population growth, dominating the list of top 10 places with the most significant increases. Leading the pack is Buckeye, AZ, with an impressive 54.3% growth in population over the past five years. Other Southwestern cities in the top 10 include Enterprise, NV (37.8%), Goodyear, AZ (32.0%), Atascocita, TX (27.5%), San Tan Valley, AZ (26.5%), Frisco, TX (23.9%), Sugar Land, TX (23.6%), and Lewisville, TX (22.8%). Many more cities in the Southwest also experienced substantial population growth during this short period.
Notably, Atascocita, Texas, witnessed a remarkable 25.4% population increase in just one year. Similarly, Lewisville, TX recorded the second-highest one-year growth rate at 16.0%, while San Tan Valley, AZ experienced a 13.6% growth in one year. A similar trend was observed in Tuscaloosa, AL, where one-year population growth reached 9.9%, a notable contrast to the mere 0.3% growth over the five-year period.
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Davie, FL, saw the most significant shift towards a male-dominant population, with the percentage of men rising from 46.4% in 2017 to 51.3% in 2022. Despite this shift, the overall population size remained relatively stable, with a slight decline of -0.2%. Other cities like Visalia, CA (46.6% male to 50.8% male) and Albany, NY (47.2% male to 51.1%) experienced similar trends, reflecting an increasing male population.
On the other hand, Fullerton, CA, experienced the most substantial shift towards a female-majority population, with the percentage of women increasing from 48.0% in 2017 to 53.0% in 2022. Palm Bay, FL, ranked second in this shift, with the female population growing from 47.6% to 52.5%, while Concord, NC, saw an increase from 49.2% female to 53.0%.
These findings shed light on the dynamic nature of population growth and its impact on local economies and demographics, highlighting the unique trends and transformations occurring in different regions across the United States.
Cities Where the Population Grew Most Over 5 Years
Cities are ranked based on percent increase in population between 2017 and 2022.
