Cities to Watch: 2016's Fastest-Growing Places

Erin Carlyle  |   March 21, 2016

After being overthrown last year by Houston, Austin regains the number one spot as the fastest-growing city in the U.S., according to a new analysis by Forbes. Adding to its allure, Austin boasts booming technology, pharmaceutical and biotech industries as well as low-cost of living. Read more: The 20 Hottest Housing Markets This Month Forbes.com compiled its annual list of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities by ranking the 100 largest metro areas and their surrounding suburbs. For its rankings, they factor in population growth for 2015 and 2016, year-over-year job growth for 2015, the metro’s economic growth rate, unemployment, and median annual pay for college-educated workers in the area. The following cities topped Forbes’ list as the fastest-growing populations and economies (included below with each city’s population growth for 2015 and projected growth rate for 2016): 1. Austin, Texas 2015 population growth rate: 3.15% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.56% 2. San Francisco, Calif. 2015 population growth rate: 1.24% 2016 projected growth rate: 0.77% 3. Dallas, Texas 2015 population growth rate: 2.16% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.58% 4. Seattle, Wash. 2015 population growth rate: 1.68% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.34% 5. Salt Lake City, Utah 2015 population growth rate: 1.05% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.40% 6. Ogden, Utah 2015 population growth rate: 1.64% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.37% 7. Orlando, Fla. 2015 population growth rate: 2.31% 2016 projected growth rate: 2.03% 8. San Jose, Calif. 2015 population growth rate: 1.27% 2016 projected growth rate: 0.93% 9. Raleigh, N.C. 2015 population growth rate: 2.28% 2016 projected growth rate: 1.44% 10. Cape Coral, Fla. 2015 population growth rate: 2.84% 2016 projected growth rate: 2.15%

Source: Forbes.com