ORLANDO, Fla. – A recent report has revealed the fastest-growing cities in the United States — and it turns out the top pick is right here in Central Florida.
In a study by U.S. News & World Report, researchers looked at net migration, determining which cities have seen the highest levels of population growth.
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Overall, the study shows that Wildwood in Sumter County was far and away the fastest-growing location, with a net migration of nearly 20%.
To put that in perspective, the No. 2 pick in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had a net migration rate of only around 7%.
Researchers provided the following explanation for why Wildwood may have been such a hotspot:
“No, that’s not a typo – this city has grown by nearly 20% and is continuing to grow as you read this. Wildwood is a retirement haven in central Florida with all the golf courses, themed restaurants and fun community-based activities you can handle. Wildwood is home to the southernmost portion of The Villages, a wildly popular and expanding retirement community.
Its central location is ideal for day trips to Florida’s multiple attractions when friends and family visit. Just 50 miles northwest of Orlando and 75 miles north of Tampa in northern Sumter County, Wildwood is known as the Crossroads of Florida. Residents have easy access to the many businesses and health care centers. Its tropical climate, outdoor recreation and charming shops and eateries help make Wildwood the fastest-growing of the 859 cities analyzed this year.”
U.S. News & World Report, “The Fastest-Growing Places in the U.S. in 2025-2026”
But Wildwood wasn’t the only Florida city to make the list. In fact, the Sunshine State dominated the latest ranking, featuring eight locations in the top 25.
Per the study, researchers believe that climate was a big draw for many aging baby boomers, who have flocked to states like Florida to take advantage of the nice weather.
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Federal data shows that millions of people have moved to Florida in recent years, with a notable explosion of new residents following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the boost in new residents is forecast to bring about a surge in production (and thus growing the state’s economy), experts also predict that it will greatly boost the cost of living, making it tougher to afford day-to-day expenses in the state.
Regardless, the full list of the top 25 fastest-growing cities in the country is as follows:
RankCityStateNet Migration (%)PopulationMedian Age1WildwoodFL19.53%34,933642Hilton Head IslandSC7.08%48,209573LeanderTX6.81%77,556364Palm DesertCA6.72%64,278545NaplesFL6.38%24,439656Casa GrandeAZ5.8%66,558397ZephyrhillsFL5.22%20,452478San MarcosTX5.05%80,499249ConroeTX4.71%107,7443410Bonita SpringsFL4.7%63,4435911Miami BeachFL4.63%98,1994212Daytona BeachFL4.52%85,6903713GeorgetownTX4.52%80,1854414LehiUT4.14%85,0002715New BraunfelsTX4.02%101,9543516Port St. LucieFL3.97%238,0044217Myrtle BeachSC3.88%40,1394618Salt Lake CityUT3.86%230,6153219KatyTX3.68%23,0793620Queen CreekAZ3.66%68,7173721Little ElmTX3.6%53,4693422Palm BayFL3.56%137,8074023MaricopaAZ3.36%65,9763624Palm CoastFL3.22%100,2504925CaldwellID3.21%67,88232
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