Finance Pro
    Subscribe for Alerts
    Money

    Every US State’s Fastest-Growing Small Town You’ve Never Heard of | Invesloan.com

    Updated:

    The US population has grown by roughly 58 million since 2000, but the nation’s biggest cities aren’t the only areas seeing increases.

    Whether it’s suburbs next to urban areas or towns that have become hot spots in their own right, all 50 states are seeing population growth in small- and medium-sized towns.

    Business Insider used the latest five-year Census population estimates, covering July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, to calculate the population growth percentage for each state’s towns and cities over the period.

    Census population estimates are revised every year, so some 2020 figures differ slightly from estimates published in previous years.

    To avoid municipalities with negligible populations, we considered only places with more than 1,000 residents in the 2020 population estimates. We also excluded unincorporated areas and Census-designated places belonging to a larger city. Of the 50 places, most have populations under 20,000.

    Here’s each state’s fastest-growing city or town.

    Triana, Alabama


    Downtown Huntsville skyline overlooks Big Spring Park ponds and lit walkways at dusk.

    Huntsville, Alabama, roughly 15 miles northeast of Triana.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 3,003

    2025 population: 5,244

    Percentage growth: 75%

    Sitting in the northern region of Alabama along the Tennessee River, Triana was named the fourth-best suburb to live in Alabama by Niche, a real-estate and education ranking platform.

    Wasilla, Alaska


    Lakeside homes reflect in calm water below autumn trees and snow-covered mountains.

    Wasilla, Alaska.

    Jan Miracky/Getty Images

    2020 population: 9,113

    2025 population: 10,556

    Percentage growth: 16%

    Wasilla sits roughly 40 miles north of Anchorage, the state’s largest city. As of 2020, Wasilla had just 732 residents per square mile, according to Census data.

    Coolidge, Arizona


    Adobe ruins stand beneath a large protective metal canopy in a sunny desert landscape.

    The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona.

    apollob66/Getty Images

    2020 population: 13,425

    2025 population: 19,959

    Percentage growth: 49%

    Coolidge sits between Phoenix and Tucson and is home to the site of the Casa Grande Ruins, containing fragments of Native American structures. Sitting in the Sonoran Desert, the town sees frequent daily temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

    Highfill, Arkansas


    Street view of The Walmart Museum and Walton's 5-10 storefronts with outdoor seating and parked vehicles.

    Nearby Bentonville, Arkansas.

    Roberto Galan/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,672

    2025 population: 3,676

    Percentage growth: 120%

    Highfill is about 15 miles away from Bentonville, Arkansas, and is near the Northwest Arkansas National Airport.

    Paradise, California


    Evacuation zone signs stand beside a rural road near a fire station and cleared gravel lot.

    Paradise, California.

    Chris Allan/Getty Images

    2020 population: 5,090

    2025 population: 10,023

    Percentage growth: 97%

    The rapid growth can largely be attributed to Paradise’s recovery after the 2018 Camp Fire, which ravaged the community. Per the Census, the town had over 26,000 residents in 2010, and is still rebuilding after being at the heart of the deadliest fire in the state’s history.

    Elizabeth, Colorado


    Roadside welcome sign for Elizabeth, Colorado, stands beside a rural highway under a clear blue sky.

    Elizabeth, Colorado.

    Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,710

    2025 population: 2,957

    Percentage growth: 73%

    Elizabeth is about 40 miles from Denver, making it popular for those seeking a rural life while living within commuting distance of Colorado’s economic hub, according to a report by Outside.

    Woodmont, Connecticut


    Waterfront houses line a sandy shoreline beside calm blue water under a clear sky.

    Woodmont is a borough of Milford, Connecticut.

    miroslav_1/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,554

    2025 population: 2,391

    Percentage growth: 54%

    Woodmont, a borough of Milford, is a popular summer destination, according to the Connecticut Tourism Office. It is about 7 miles away from New Haven.

    Cheswold, Delaware


    Historic brick house with white lattice fencing stands along a tree-shaded brick walkway.

    Dover, Delaware, about 6 miles southeast of Cheswold.

    Rolf Karlsson/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,938

    2025 population: 2,653

    Percentage growth: 37%

    In 2000, Cheswold had just over 300 residents, per the Census.

    Westlake, Florida


    Aerial view of a suburban sports park with baseball fields, tennis courts, roads, trees, and surrounding neighborhoods.

    A suburb in nearby West Palm Beach, Florida.

    felixmizioznikov/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,048

    2025 population: 9,042

    Percentage growth: 763%

    Westlake was formerly farmland before the land was purchased by Minto Group, a real-estate company with development plans for the area. The town only officially became a municipality in 2016.

    Occupying over 6 miles of land, Westlake has thousands of single-family residential homes with more under construction, according to the town.

    Hoschton, Georgia


    Aerial view of a dense urban downtown with roads, brick buildings, trees, and cloudy sky.

    Nearby Athens, Georgia.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 2,775

    2025 population: 8,623

    Percentage growth: 211%

    Hoschton lies about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta and 30 miles northwest of Athens.

    Hawai’i County, Hawaii


    Aerial view of a coastal town with roads, buildings, green spaces, and a blue bay under scattered clouds.

    Hilo, Hawaii. The state of Hawaii doesn’t have official incorporated towns and is governed at the county level.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

    2020 population: 200,744

    2025 population: 210,043

    Percentage growth: 4.6%

    Hawaii holds the distinction of being the only US state without official incorporated municipalities. The state’s towns are governed at the county level.

    Of the five counties — Hawai’i, Honolulu, Kalawao, Kaua’i, and Maui — Hawai’i County, commonly known as the “Big Island,” reported the largest population growth from 2020 to 2025.

    Star, Idaho


    Autumn trees and flowers overlook a downtown skyline with a capitol dome and foothills in the background.

    Boise, Idaho, about 15 miles southeast of Star.

    christiannafzger/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 11,488

    2025 population: 20,874

    Percentage growth: 82%

    Star is located just 15 miles northwest of Boise.

    Wonder Lake, Illinois


    Ornate green gazebo stands in a landscaped park near a brick building with a domed tower.

    Wonder Lake is near Woodstock, Illinois.

    EJ_Rodriquez/Getty Images

    2020 population: 4,004

    2025 population: 5,593

    Percentage growth: 40%

    Wonder Lake sits just below the Illinois-Wisconsin border, about 65 miles between Milwaukee and Chicago.

    Whitestown, Indiana


    Aerial view of downtown Indianapolis skyline with surrounding residential neighborhoods and tree-lined streets under a clear blue sky.

    Indianapolis, Indiana, is about 20 miles southeast of Whitestown.

    Wirestock/Getty Images

    2020 population: 10,383

    2025 population: 15,767

    Percentage growth: 52%

    Whitestown, which is just over 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis, is home to more than 50 acres of parks and 13 miles of trails.

    Tiffin, Iowa


    Aerial view of downtown Cedar Rapids along the Cedar River with bridges, Mays Island, and skyline buildings.

    Nearby Cedar Rapids, just north of Tiffin, Iowa.

    Aaron Yoder/Getty Images

    2020 population: 4,625

    2025 population: 7,156

    Percentage growth: 55%

    The fast-growing suburb sits F. W. Kent County Park, a sought-after destination in the state for outdoor activities. Tiffin is located 22 miles south of Cedar Rapids.

    Maize, Kansas


    Downtown Fort Wayne skyline with office buildings and the Allen County Courthouse under a pink and blue dusk sky.

    Maize is a northwestern suburb of Wichita, Kansas.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 5,818

    2025 population: 7,853

    Percentage growth: 35%

    It takes under 20 minutes to drive from Maize to central Wichita.

    Elkton, Kentucky


    Red brick courthouse with white clock tower stands on a decorated town square under a clear blue sky.

    Elkton, Kentucky.

    BOB WESTON/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 2,061

    2025 population: 2,387

    Percentage growth: 16%

    Nashville is the nearest major city to Elkton, located about 60 miles south of the town.

    Maurice, Louisiana


    Cars drive under a DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE arch on a city street lined with trees and storefronts.

    Nearby Lafayette, Louisiana, just 11 miles northeast of Maurice.

    Laser1987/Getty Images

    2020 population: 2,185

    2025 population: 3,215

    Percentage growth: 47%

    Maurice is just southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana’s fourth-largest city.

    Greenville, Maine


    Autumn foliage frames a dirt path overlooking a lake and broad mountain under a pale sky.

    Greenville, Maine.

    A Janick/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,440

    2025 population: 1,743

    Percentage growth: 21%

    Far from the cities of Portland and Bangor, Greenville is located further inland at the southern tip of Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest freshwater body, according to Visit Maine. Greenville sits roughly 60 miles from the US-Canada border.

    Trappe, Maryland


    Brick sidewalk and garden entrance line a historic downtown street with storefronts, planters, and flowering trees.

    Nearby Easton, Maryland.

    Grandbrothers/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,177

    2025 population: 1,517

    Percentage growth: 29%

    Trappe has seen growth in population in part because of a modern housing development, Lakeside at Trappe.

    Bolton, Massachusetts


    Downtown Worcester skyline at sunset with brick buildings, a clock tower, and modern high-rises.

    Nearby Worcester, Massachusetts.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 5666

    2025 population: 6477

    Percentage growth: 14%

    Bolton is about 18 miles northeast of Worcester and about 40 miles west of Boston.

    Editor’s Note: Amherst had the largest estimated population increase from 2020 to 2025, but Business Insider chose second-place Bolton because Amherst’s unusually low 2020 estimate could have been distorted by pandemic-era student departures.

    Manton, Michigan


    Downtown street lined with storefronts, traffic lights, and vehicles under a cloudy sky.

    The downtown area in nearby Cadillac, Michigan.

    Roberto Galan/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,271

    2025 population: 1,626

    Percentage growth: 28%

    Manton was a finalist in Reader’s Digest’s “Nicest Place in America” ranking in 2021.

    Dayton, Minnesota


    A Dayton street banner reading "Live the difference." hangs from a black pole beside trees under a blue sky.

    Dayton, Minnesota.

    Melissa Kopka/Getty Images

    2020 population: 7,432

    2025 population: 11,402

    Percentage growth: 53%

    Dayton is a relatively wealthy suburb, with a high homeownership rate and a median household income of $148,947 in 2024, per 2024 Census data. Dayton is under 30 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

    Sumrall, Mississippi


    Aerial view of Hattiesburg water tower beside brick campus buildings, parking lots, trees, and a cloudy sky.

    Nearby Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

    CRobertson/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,777

    2025 population: 2,299

    Percentage growth: 29%

    Sumrall sits just over 15 miles northwest of Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s fifth-largest city.

    Rogersville, Missouri


    Aerial view of a downtown area with low-rise buildings, streets, parking lots, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

    Nearby Springfield, Missouri, 20 miles west of Rogersville.

    ChrisBoswell/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 3,897

    2025 population: 5,754

    Percentage growth: 48%

    According to 2024 Census data, there are about 2.98 households per resident in Rogersville, which is above the national average.

    The town is located 20 miles east of Springfield.

    Kalispell, Montana


    Downtown commercial street with historic storefronts, parked cars, and a traffic light under a partly cloudy sky.

    Kalispell, Montana.

    GummyBone/Getty Images

    2020 population: 25,263

    2025 population: 31,851

    Percentage growth: 26%

    According to the 2024 Census data, Kalispell is the seventh-largest city in Montana by population and the eighth-largest by land area.

    Hickman, Nebraska


    Aerial view of the Nebraska State Capitol surrounded by downtown Lincoln streets, buildings, lawns, and autumn trees.

    Lincoln, Nebraska, under 20 miles north of Hickman.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

    2020 population: 2,655

    2025 population: 3,663

    Percentage growth: 38%

    Hickman’s population has more than tripled since 2000, per the Census. The town is under 20 miles south of Lincoln, the state’s capital city.

    Mesquite, Nevada


    Aerial view of a divided highway crossing red desert terrain toward snow-capped mountains under a clear sky.

    A highway near Mesquite, Nevada.

    Moiseii Production/Getty Images

    2020 population: 20,608

    2025 population: 24,001

    Percentage growth: 16%

    Mesquite sits in the Mojave Desert and borders Arizona. The nearest major city is Las Vegas, roughly 80 miles southwest of Mesquite.

    Epping, New Hampshire


    Snow-covered farm field with a red barn, small house, bare trees, and a pastel winter sky.

    Epping, New Hampshire.

    Wirestock/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 7,153

    2025 population: 7,973

    Percentage growth: 11%

    The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute attributed Epping’s population growth to its proximity to major state highways and economic hubs in the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley, and Boston.

    Seaside Park, New Jersey


    Beachgoers relax on a sandy beach with a lifeguard chair and amusement park rides in the background.

    Seaside Park, New Jersey.

    Kena Betancur/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,445

    2025 population: 2,135

    Percentage growth: 48%

    Seaside Park neighbors Seaside Heights, a popular Jersey Shore destination known for its amusement park.

    Los Lunas, New Mexico


    Colorful pole sculptures stand on a dry hillside with mountains and blue sky in the background.

    Los Lunas, New Mexico.

    Lily Kimei/Getty Images

    2020 population: 17,454

    2025 population: 20,572

    Percentage growth: 18%

    Los Lunas has held significance at different points in American history, including its use as a bombing range after World War II, according to the Center for Land Use Interpretation.

    The town is about 20 miles south of Albuquerque.

    Kiryas Joel, New York


    Welcome to Kiryas Joel sign displays community dress and behavior guidelines in English and Spanish beside snowy woods.

    Kiryas Joel, New York.

    Jonathan Novack/Getty Images

    2020 population: 33,507

    2025 population: 47,147

    Percentage growth: 41%

    Kiryas Joel, coterminous with the town of Palm Tree, has a predominantly Hasidic Jewish population and covers only 1.46 square miles, according to the 2020 Census.

    Wendell, North Carolina


    Aerial view of a suburban housing development with rows of homes, streets, lawns, and surrounding trees.

    Wendell, North Carolina.

    zimmytws/Getty Images

    2020 population: 9,997

    2025 population: 19,687

    Percentage growth: 97%

    Wendell is within 20 miles of Raleigh, North Carolina’s second most populous city. The growth is expected to continue, with 1,900 new homes under construction in the town, the area’s ABC 11 reported.

    Horace, North Dakota


    Downtown intersection with brick and glass buildings under a vivid pink and orange sunset sky.

    Downtown of the nearby Fargo.

    Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

    2020 population: 3,249

    2025 population: 7,001

    Percentage growth: 115%

    Horace is a suburb of Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city by population, and is itself the 13th most populous city in the state.

    South Bloomfield, Ohio


    Downtown Columbus skyline and arched bridge reflected in the Scioto River under a blue sky.

    Nearby Columbus, Ohio.

    Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

    2020 population: 2,147

    2025 population: 4,164

    Percentage growth: 94%

    South Bloomfield is located 20 miles south of Columbus.

    Newcastle, Oklahoma


    Brick-lined canal district at sunset with water taxis, walkways, restaurants, and a tall glass tower in the background.

    Oklahoma City is located just north of Newcastle.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    2020 population: 11,171

    2025 population: 15,198

    Percentage growth: 36%

    A suburb of Oklahoma City, Newcastle appeared on 24/7 Wall St.’s “The Best City to Live in Every State” list in 2019.

    Estacada, Oregon


    Snow-covered Mount Hood rises beyond evergreen forest and autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.

    McIver Park, near Estacada, Oregon.

    Demujin/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 4,531

    2025 population: 5,814

    Percentage growth: 28%

    Estacada is roughly 30 miles southeast of Portland.

    Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania


    Aerial view of a leafy residential neighborhood with houses, streets, hills, and a river under a partly cloudy sky.

    Nearby Pittsburgh.

    Althom/Getty Images

    2020 population: 2,765

    2025 population: 3,734

    Percentage growth: 35%

    Lancaster Township is a small municipality in Butler County, western Pennsylvania, and is separate from the much larger city of Lancaster in southeastern Pennsylvania. It’s about 34 miles north of Pittsburgh.

    Glocester, Rhode Island


    Providence skyline and riverfront at sunset with downtown towers, trees, boardwalk, and dramatic clouds.

    Nearby Providence, Rhode Island.

    miroslav_1/Getty Images

    2020 population: 9,984

    2025 population: 10,612

    Percentage growth: 6.3%

    Glocester, seated 20 miles northwest of Providence, contains the villages of Harmony and Chepachet.

    Hardeeville, South Carolina


    Wetland marsh with tall grasses, reflective water, moss-covered trees, and a clear blue sky.

    The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

    Norm Lane/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 7,764

    2025 population: 16,459

    Percentage growth: 112%

    Located under 20 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, Hardeeville has historically had the nickname “The Lowcountry Host” for its many hotels and accommodations for travelers, per the Hardeeville Police Department.

    Harrisburg, South Dakota


    Waterfall flows through rocky cliffs beside historic stone structures and trees under a cloudy blue sky.

    Harrisburg is south of Sioux Falls.

    GummyBone/Getty Images

    2020 population: 6,845

    2025 population: 10,405

    Percentage growth: 52%

    Harrisburg, just 10 miles south of Sioux Falls, has 3.7 miles of land area, per 2020 Census data.

    Lebanon, Tennessee


    Colorful brick storefronts, parked cars, a Route 231 sign, and flower beds line a sunny downtown street.

    Lebanon, Tennessee.

    csfotoimages/Getty Images

    2020 population: 38,908

    2025 population: 53,412

    Percentage growth: 37%

    Located 30 minutes east of Nashville, Lebanon is becoming a population hub in its own right. The town is home to the Nashville Superspeedway and Cumberland University.

    Josephine, Texas


    Dallas skyline at sunset with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge spanning green parkland and water in the foreground.

    Josephine is 40 miles northeast of Dallas.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    2020 population: 2,283

    2025 population: 10,208

    Percentage growth: 347%

    Josephine, 40 miles northeast of Dallas, is experiencing a major housing boom. Companies like D.R. Horton are constructing developments with hundreds of homes, and the low cost of living in the area is attracting a lot of millennial first-time homebuyers, Business Insider’s Alcynna Lloyd reported.

    Saratoga Springs, Utah


    New houses under construction line a muddy residential development site with vehicles, workers, and mountains in the background.

    Homes under construction in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

    George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    2020 population: 38,318

    2025 population: 61,397

    Percentage growth: 60%

    Saratoga Springs sits along Utah Lake and is among Utah’s 15 most populous cities. Saratoga Springs has a reputation for safety, with its total crime rate 69% below the national average, per Best Utah Real Estate.

    Newport, Vermont


    Small white lighthouse stands in a landscaped waterfront park beside a path, trees, and calm blue water.

    Newport’s neighboring eponymous city of Newport, Vermont.

    vermontalm/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,581

    2025 population: 2,583

    Percentage growth: 63%

    The town, a distinct municipality from the neighboring city of Newport, is just over 5 miles south of the US-Canada border and is one of Vermont’s least populous municipalities.

    Louisa, Virginia


    Roadside signs mark Davis Hwy and Louisa corporate limits beside a 25 mph speed limit sign.

    Louisa, Virginia.

    krblokhin/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,993

    2025 population: 2,244

    Percentage growth: 13%

    Louisa is located roughly 50 miles northwest of Richmond.

    Ridgefield, Washington


    Curved elevated walkway with brown railings winds through green trees under a clear blue sky.

    Ridgefield, Washington.

    portgrimes/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 10,875

    2025 population: 16,132

    Percentage growth: 48%

    Located near Vancouver, Washington, Ridgefield has a history as a Native American village site, which was visited during the Lewis and Clark expedition, the city says.

    Charles Town, West Virginia


    Downtown street with Bank of Charles Town building, American flags, parked cars, and lamppost banners under an overcast sky.

    Charles Town, West Virginia.

    Robert Knopes/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    2020 population: 6,529

    2025 population: 9,329

    Percentage growth: 43%

    Charles Town was notably founded by Charles Washington, the youngest brother of President George Washington, according to the city.

    Lannon, Wisconsin


    Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee skyline with surrounding neighborhoods, Lake Michigan, and the Milwaukee River at sunset.

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 20 miles southeast of Lannon.

    Jon Mattrisch/Getty Images

    2020 population: 1,419

    2025 population: 2,057

    Percentage growth: 45%

    Lannon’s growth can largely be attributed to new investments in the town, such as housing developments, TMJ 4 Milwaukee reported. Lannon is located about 20 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

    Alpine, Wyoming


    A calm mountain lake bordered by grassy wetlands and forested hills under a clear blue sky.

    Alpine, Wyoming.

    htrnr/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    2020 population: 1,229

    2025 population: 1,382

    Percentage growth: 13%

    Alpine sits on the Idaho-Wyoming border and is near Jackson, one of the state’s 10 most populous cities.

    Share.

    Keep Reading

    © 2007-2023 Invesloan.com All Rights Reserved.