RentCafe published in early May its report of the hottest ZIP codes and neighborhoods in the U.S., evaluating community pockets that have exploded in recent years with new residents and upcoming developments to match. RentCafe’s analysis explored housing inventory and population growth across 32,000 ZIP codes — and a surprising Austin suburb rose to the top as one of the most coveted communities to move to.
The Texas city of Jarrell, roughly 45 minutes north of Austin, is the No. 4 fastest up-and-coming community in America, RentCafe’s report revealed, with the 76537 ZIP code experiencing a nearly 200% housing inventory explosion between 2014 and 2023. On the population end of things, Jarrell has grown from an estimated 3,939 residents in 2014 to 12,526 in 2023, representing a staggering 218% population growth.
It’s not the only Texas community turning heads on a national scale. Prosper, Texas’ 75078 ZIP code claimed the No. 2 position, followed by Celina, Texas at No. 3. Also nestling its way into RentCafe’s Top 10 roundup was fellow Austin suburb Liberty Hill, which has been at the forefront of explosive developments courtesy of a newly opened Costco Wholesale and an upcoming Target project.
It’s not only new developments that are spurring robust population growth, but the combination of new commercial endeavors paired with housing growth, higher-paying jobs and an increased population size of college-educated residents, the report noted. When looking at those combined factors, Texas is dominating on the growth front.
“The Lone Star State counts 16 neighborhoods of the 54 zip codes that are not only growing, but also adding highly educated residents and healthy income gains,” RentCafe wrote. “Next is Florida with eight zip codes and California with five.”