Four cities in California have made the cut as some of America’s newest boomtowns, showcasing impressive growth in recent years.
This ranking was highlighted by a study from SmartAsset, particularly noting the rapid expansion in Northern California fueled by the tech industry, which has dramatically influenced everything from population growth to real estate values.
Interestingly, the top-ranked city isn’t situated near the famed Silicon Valley.
Menifee, located in Riverside County, has experienced a significant 29% increase in housing units from 2019 to 2024, according to the findings.
“Achieving boomtown status doesn’t guarantee that the benefits of growth are shared equally, but it highlights the city’s evolving economic landscape and the opportunities arising from it,” noted SmartAsset.
The analysis reviewed over 400 cities with populations of at least 65,000, ultimately identifying the 75 cities that scored the highest.
Here’s a quick rundown of the California cities featured:
Menifee (65th place)
Having just incorporated as a city in 2008, Menifee has seen its workforce grow by 45% within the same five-year span.
Rancho Cordova (70th place)
This city in Sacramento County recorded a 21% rise in housing units along with a 17% boost in its labor force between 2019 and 2024.
Santa Clara (72nd place)
Home to Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher education in the U.S., Santa Clara is recognized for its thriving tech scene and vibrant cultural offerings. The city also noted an 11% increase in housing units and a 7% rise in workforce numbers.
Sunnyvale (75th place)
Known as a hub for major tech companies, including Yahoo and LinkedIn, Sunnyvale has also seen a boost in housing units by 11% and a workforce increase of 6% during the studied period.
Leading the overall list are two cities in Texas: Georgetown and New Braunfels, both of which demonstrated impressive growth in workforce size and housing units, with increases exceeding 30% over the last five years.
