They aren't sprawling metropolises that attract hordes of tourists, such as New York or San Francisco. Instead, they're smaller, lesser-known towns, primarily scattered across the South.
Business Insider compiled a list of the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns in America, each with a population of over 20,000, based on the most recent migration data from the US Census Bureau. The data tracks growth between July 2022 and July 2023.
Most of the cities on the list are located south of the Mason-Dixon line. Texas stands out, with roughly half of the cities on the list located within the state.
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of people have moved to Texas for its affordable homes, political climate, and plentiful job opportunities. While cities like Austin and Dallas have traditionally attracted more movers, census estimates from 2020 to mid-2022 show that smaller towns like Celina — ranked No. 1 on our list — are now growing faster than their larger counterparts.
Celina, about 40 miles north of downtown Dallas, is the country's fastest-growing city. Its relatively affordable homes and small-town charm have attracted thousands of new homebuyers and renters over the past decade.
California native Michelle Clifford, a 33-year-old sales manager and mother of two, told BI that she and her husband chose to move to Celina rather than a larger city like Dallas because it made buying a home more realistic.
In July, the couple became first-time homeowners by purchasing a 2,400-square-foot home for about $600,000.
"We absolutely could not afford a home similar to ours in a Dallas neighborhood or back in California," Clifford said. "I've been renting or moving almost every year since I was 18. To finally have something that's mine is the most amazing feeling."
Here are the 15 fastest-growing cities and towns in America.
15. Athens, Ohio
Athens, Ohio.
Braden Moon/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 22,718
July 2023 population: 24,673
Percent change: 8.6%
Athens, the home of Ohio University, has been a hot spot for movers recently, some for higher education or employment at the university. The city is home to arts centers, farmers markets, and various state parks and wildlife areas.
14. Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg, Florida.
cindylindowphotography/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 29,173
July 2023 population: 31,721
Percent change: 8.7%
Leesburg, a city northwest of Orlando, has experienced major development alongside its neighbor The Villages, despite opposition from residents concerned about rising prices and environmental impact. The city is located by Lake Griffin State Park and Lake Harris, and it boasts gardens, parks, and historic museums, as well as two colleges.
13. Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Steven Starr Photography/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 30,900
July 2023 population: 33,626
Percent change: 8.8%
Fort Mill — a town near South Carolina's border with North Carolina, not far from Charlotte — has seen new housing construction this year and an influx of urban residents. Many have been attracted to amenities like the Kingsley Town Center development with dozens of tenants, a golf club, coffee shops, and breweries. South Carolina's annual Strawberry Festival takes place in Fort Mill each May.
12. Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon, Tennessee.
KennStilger47/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 44,166
July 2023 population: 48,112
Percent change: 8.9%
Lebanon, about 30 miles east of Nashville, has seen an influx of residents along with much of the broader Nashville area. Despite some opposition from residents, the city has developed quickly over the last few years. It's home to Cumberland University, which has drawn new businesses to its downtown.
11. Kyle, Texas
Kyle, Texas.
Philip Arno Photography/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 57,358
July 2023 population: 62,548
Percent change: 9.0%
Kyle, located southwest of Austin, has made headlines recently for new developments, including apartment communities, water pipelines, restaurants, and fitness centers.
The city has been dubbed the Pie Capital of Texas, and it's attracted new residents to its parks, shops, and polo club.
The area has also attracted residents named Kyle, as the city has tried to break the world record for the largest gathering of people with the same name.
10. Forney, Texas
Forney, Texas.
JoshingtonDC/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 32,131
July 2023 population: 35,470
Percent change: 10.4%
Forney, nicknamed the Antique Capital of Texas, is a suburb of Dallas with a fairly diverse ethnic makeup. The city still has a number of antique shops from the days of its historic Antique Row, and it is home to the Spellman Museum of Forney History.
9. Prosper, Texas
July 2022 population: 37,716
July 2023 population: 41,660
Percent change: 10.5%
Prosper, a rural spot directly south of Celina, has experienced similar residential development to its neighboring cities and towns. The city boasts green space and entertainment venues, and it's located a short drive from the larger city of Frisco. Eric Hartnett, a resident of Prosper, previously told BI that despite the heat and fairly uninspiring scenery, he enjoys the relaxed pace of life and lower living costs.
8. Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown, Texas.
xradiophotog/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 87,062
July 2023 population: 96,312
Percent change: 10.6%
Georgetown, Texas is the most populous city in the top 15. It has ranked first in population growth for cities with over 50,000 residents for the last three years, partly due to an influx of movers from Austin to its south.
Thousands of older Americans have moved to the 5,400-acre planned community of Sun City Texas — about a sixth of the city's total population lives in the community. New restaurants, stores, and hospitals have recently opened.
7. Haines City, Florida
Haines City, Florida.
Don Neuenschwander/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 33,645
July 2023 population: 37,272
Percent change: 10.8%
Haines City, located in Central Florida about an hour southwest of Orlando, has added thousands of new homes over the last few years and boasts numerous lakes and trails. The city hosts a golf and country club and has attracted residents in part due to its proximity to Walt Disney World Resort.
6. Centerton, Arkansas
Centerton, Arkansas.
tueano/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 21,540
July 2023 population: 23,953
Percent change: 11.2%
Centerton, Arkansas, just west of Bentonville in the state's northwest, has attracted thousands of new residents amid a growth in new housing units and more employment opportunities. Companies such as Walmart and Tyson Foods have brought employees to live closer to their headquarters in Northwest Arkansas, which has driven economic diversification.
5. Lathrop, California
Lathrop, California.
Hank Shiffman/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 35,080
July 2023 population: 39,857
Percent change: 13.6%
Lathrop, located 10 miles south of Stockton in the Central Valley, is the fastest-growing city in California. New communities such as River Islands and Stanford Crossing have thousands of homes, and home prices are comparatively less than those of many major cities nearer the coast. Lathrop is also one of a few counties in the region working on flood control infrastructure.
4. Anna, Texas
Anna, Texas.
Sabrina Janelle Gordon/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 23,528
July 2023 population: 27,501
Percent change: 16.9%
Northeast of Dallas, Anna, Texas, has also experienced a population boom. The city said in a statement that its new residential developments could represent over $1.8 billion in value when fully complete. Major retailers, including Home Depot, Starbucks, and Texas Roadhouse have recently opened in Anna, the city said. The city also said it hassecured $1 million in downtown grants and created public facility and housing finance corporations.
3. Princeton, Texas
Princeton, Texas.
Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 22,919
July 2023 population: 28,027
Percent change: 22.3%
Princeton, located about 40 miles northeast of Dallas, has been described by its mayor as a "unicorn city," drawing new residents with its relatively affordable new homes. The city has four parks and is located not far from the larger city of McKinney. The city is working to expand its emergency services and infrastructure to keep up with the population influx.
2. Fulshear, Texas
Fulshear, Texas.
Timothy L Barnes/Shutterstock
July 2022 population: 33,938
July 2023 population: 42,616
Percent change: 25.6%
Fulshear, located west of downtown Houston, has experienced a boom in residential development, including Cross Creek West, a planned community with 3,000 homes.
A report from the Houston Association of Realtors found that home purchases grew 103.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the year prior. The city recently upgraded its library and is constructing a new green space and mixed-use center.
1. Celina, Texas
Celina, Texas.
Courtesy of the city of Celina
July 2022 population: 34,207
July 2023 population: 43,317
Percent change: 26.6%
Celina, Texas, is the fastest-growing city in the US. Located about 40 miles north of Dallas, it has attracted thousands of new residents thanks to its many newly built homes, quaint downtown, and community feel.
City data shows that over 15,000 single-family permits were issued for Celina between 2010 and June 2024. Census migration data shows that recent movers to Celina came from across Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.
