What is the fastest shrinking city in America?

Houston, Texas, is the fastest-sinking major city in the U.S., with significant areas subsiding over 20 millimeters (nearly an inch) per year, primarily due to excessive groundwater and oil extraction, increasing risks to infrastructure and amplifying flood impacts from storms like Hurricane Harvey. Other major cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, New York, and Las Vegas are also sinking, but Houston experiences the most severe rates, impacting roads, buildings, and critical systems.

What are the fastest shrinking states in America?

The states losing population fastest, especially from 2020-2024, include New York, Illinois, and California, primarily due to people moving out (net domestic migration loss), with New York and Illinois often cited for significant percentage drops, while states like West Virginia and Mississippi also face consistent shrinking, driven by more deaths than births and migration trends favoring the Sun Belt.
 

What is the #1 best small city in America?

Best Small Cities to Live in America

• Carmel, Ind. Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety. ...
• Brookfield, Wisc. Brookfield, Wisconsin, takes the second spot, driven by low unemployment and poverty levels. ...
• Apex, N.C.

What is the fastest declining city in the world?

Population (2024): 400,000

Nagasaki ranks as the fastest-declining city in the world. The city is positioned on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Nagasaki serves as the capital of the Nagasaki Prefecture.

What is the #1 overpopulated state?

The U.S. state with the largest population is California, which has some 39,000,000 residents.

Inside America's Fastest Shrinking City

What city are most Americans moving to?

Big Cities Still Draw the Most Movers

New York City tops the list with more than 702,000 new residents in 2024, even though only 20% came from out of state. Los Angeles (371,000) and Houston (356,000) also remain top destinations, driven by work opportunities and cultural influence.

What is America's prettiest city?

There's no single "most beautiful" city, as it's subjective, but Charleston, SC, frequently tops lists for historic charm, architecture, and Southern hospitality. Other top contenders include Seattle, praised for its natural setting with mountains and ocean, San Francisco, known for its iconic views, and New York City, celebrated for its vibrant, world-class atmosphere.
 

What is the happiest small town in America?

The happiest small towns in America vary by list, but consistently feature places with strong communities, outdoor access, and good quality of life, with recent mentions including White Rock, NM, praised for low poverty and close community; Eureka Springs, AR, known for its historic charm; Stowe, VT, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, for beauty and amenities; and Sugarcreek, OH, for Amish culture. Other contenders often cited are Taos, NM, Bisbee, AZ, and charming spots like Fish Creek, WI, and Saratoga Springs, NY.
 

What is the safest small city in America?

The safest small cities in the U.S. frequently include Columbus, Indiana, known for low property crime; Zionsville, Indiana, with very low violent and property crime rates; and Wallingford, Connecticut, consistently appearing on top lists for safety, alongside towns like Saratoga Springs, Utah, Newton, Massachusetts, and Monroe Township, New Jersey, all featuring low crime metrics and high quality of life. Other top contenders often feature locations in the Northeast (NJ, CT, MA, NY) and certain areas in the Midwest and West. 

Which US state is the most empty?

The most "empty" U.S. state, meaning the least densely populated, is Alaska, due to its immense size, harsh climate, and vast wilderness, with Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota also ranking low in population density after Alaska. While Wyoming has the fewest total people, Alaska has significantly fewer residents per square mile, making it the emptiest.
 

Which state is being left the most?

The states with the most people leaving are consistently California, New York, and Illinois, often cited for high costs, taxes, and quality of life issues, with other states like New Jersey also seeing significant outflows. While California and New York lose large numbers in absolute terms, Illinois frequently has a higher percentage of residents moving out relative to its population, driven by high taxes and budget concerns, with many heading to warmer, more affordable southern states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee.
 

What will America be like in 2050?

By 2050, America will likely be an older, more racially diverse nation facing increased climate challenges, with a tech-integrated lifestyle (self-driving cars, advanced internet), shifting housing needs (smaller, shared spaces), and potential economic strains from an aging population, all while navigating significant technological advancements like AI and quantum computing.
 

What cities are on the decline?

Leading Cities Experiencing Population Decline

• Spring Valley, Nevada. Spring Valley tops the list with a population drop of over 10% in just one year—from approximately 220,700 in 2022 to 198,300 in 2023. ...
• Paradise, Nevada. ...
• Town 'n' Country, Florida. ...
• Fort Worth and New Braunfels, Texas. ...
• Flint, Michigan.

Which city is booming in the US?

Topping the list of fastest-growing cities was Princeton, Texas with a remarkable 30.6% growth rate, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2024 estimates released today.

Which states are losing population the fastest?

The states losing population fastest, especially from 2020-2024, include New York, Illinois, and California, primarily due to people moving out (net domestic migration loss), with New York and Illinois often cited for significant percentage drops, while states like West Virginia and Mississippi also face consistent shrinking, driven by more deaths than births and migration trends favoring the Sun Belt.
 

What are the 5 unhappiest states in the US?

The Top 5 happiest states in the U.S. are: Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Connecticut. The 5 LEAST happy states in the U.S. are: West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Alaska.

What is the richest small town in America?

GoBankingRates put together a list of the most affluent small towns in all 50 states. Towns with 500 to 1,500 households were considered eligible for the list. Medina, Washington, had the highest median household income and the highest average home value.

Where is the prettiest place in America to live?

The most beautiful places to live in the U.S. offer diverse scenery, from coastal gems like Santa Barbara, CA, and Portland, ME, to mountain paradises in Aspen, CO, Jackson, WY, and Asheville, NC, with vibrant cities like Seattle, WA, and charming historic towns like Hudson, NY, and Savannah, GA, also ranking high for natural beauty, quality of life, and outdoor access. The "best" choice depends on preference for mountains, beaches, desert landscapes, or vibrant city life, with options like Hawaii, Oregon, and Utah also frequently cited for stunning states.
 

What is the most loved city in America?

There's no single "most loved" city, as it depends on the survey, but Chicago, San Diego, Nashville, Santa Fe, and New York City consistently rank high in different polls for big cities, while Charleston and Aspen dominate small city lists, praised for culture, food, natural beauty, and overall charm by travelers and residents alike.
 

What is the most attractive state in America?

There's no single "most beautiful" state, as it's subjective, but California, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Washington consistently rank high for diverse, breathtaking scenery, offering everything from epic coastlines and massive mountains to lush rainforests and unique desert landscapes, with California often cited for its unparalleled variety. 

What is the coziest city in America?

There's no single "coziest" city, as it depends on your preference (cozy cafes, fall vibes, historic charm), but recent studies often highlight Jersey City, NJ, for its cafes and community spots, or San Francisco, CA, for its fog and charming neighborhoods, while Portland, ME, is praised for fall coziness, and other cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and historic St. Augustine, FL, also rank high for their unique cozy atmospheres. 

What is the next city to boom?

America's Top 10 Boomtowns of the Future – 2024 Edition

• San Jose, California.
• Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• Daytona Beach, Florida.
• Lafayette, Louisiana.
• Mountain's Edge, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Where are Americans fleeing to in 2025?

In 2025, Americans are largely moving to ** Southeastern states like South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee**, drawn by affordability, warmer climates, and access to nature, with cities like Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, and Greenville seeing major influxes. Other popular spots include Idaho, Florida, and Alaska, while suburbs and smaller cities in the Sun Belt region (Texas, Arizona) also attract many, with some even looking internationally to places like Mexico and Canada.
 

Which US city has the lowest cost of living?

1. Harlingen, Texas. Harlingen, Texas, clinches the title as the cheapest place to live in America, per Kiplinger. In this town situated on Texas' southernmost tip, the cost of living is 24.4 percent below average in the U.S.