Two California Cities Among Fastest-Growing in the US
Despite experiencing a net loss of residents, California still has a few cities that are growing rapidly. SmartAsset, a financial tech company, recently released a list of the fastest-growing cities in the United States with populations over 100,000, and two California cities made it into the top 20.
Menifee, located in Riverside County, saw its population increase from 90,599 in 2017 to 109,399 in 2022, representing a growth rate of 17.4%. This growth placed Menifee at the 9th spot nationally. The city attributes its growth to the attraction of young families seeking shopping, dining, and entertainment amenities within their community. Menifee proudly promotes itself as the new “Boomtown” in the nation, with developers and businesses recognizing the unique opportunities it offers.
Roseville, situated in Placer County near Sacramento, also experienced significant population growth. The city’s population surged from 135,325 to 154,826, a growth rate of 12.2%, ranking it 20th on the list.
SmartAsset’s analysis revealed that several southwestern cities, particularly desert suburbs, dominated the top of the list. Buckeye, Arizona witnessed a staggering 48% population increase from 2017 to 2022. Enterprise, Nevada grew by 46%, while Goodyear, Arizona saw a surge of 27%.
Jaclyn DeJohn, Managing Editor of Economic Analysis at SmartAsset, noted that the southwest region, including Texas and Arizona, has displayed positive growth indicators, not just in terms of population. The relative tax-friendliness and lower cost of living compared to coastal California and major cities may be attracting high earners and others to these areas.
In contrast, California’s largest and most expensive cities experienced a decline in population over the same five-year period. San Francisco lost 7.8% of its population, while San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego declined by 5%, 3.8%, and 2.7% respectively. Overall, California saw a net loss of approximately 342,000 residents, with over 817,000 people leaving the state and 475,000 people moving in.
Interestingly, Fullerton, California stood out as the city with the most significant shift towards a female majority. According to SmartAsset, Fullerton’s female population grew from 48% in 2017 to 53% in 2022.
While California faces challenges with outmigration, it is encouraging to see pockets of growth in certain cities. The full list of the fastest-growing cities highlights the shifting demographic patterns across the United States.
