Florida placed 19 cities on SmartAsset’s 2026 list of America’s top 75 “boomtowns” — more than any other state, edging out Texas (18 cities). Florida’s top three are Palm Coast (No. 6), North Port (No. 12), and Palm Bay (No. 14), based on growth in housing units, workforce size, and county-level GDP between 2019 and 2024.
What Is a “Boomtown,” According to SmartAsset?
SmartAsset’s annual boomtowns study ranks more than 400 U.S. cities with populations above 65,000 using three growth metrics measured from 2019 to 2024:
- Housing unit growth — how fast new homes and housing stock expanded
- Labor force growth — how many more people are working in the city
- Real GDP growth — county-level economic output, adjusted for inflation
Together, these numbers capture what SmartAsset calls a city’s “expanding economic capacity” — a signal of where jobs, homebuilding, and local economies are growing in tandem, not just one metric in isolation.
Florida Leads the Nation With 19 Boomtowns
No state placed more cities on the SmartAsset top 75 list than Florida. Texas came closest with 18 cities, but Florida’s combination of population growth, new construction, and job creation pushed it to the top of the state rankings.
Florida’s Top 5 Boomtown Cities
1. Palm Coast — No. 6 Nationally
Florida’s highest-ranked city on the list. Between 2019 and 2024:
- Housing units increased 27%
- Labor force grew 21%
- Real GDP grew at a 6.7% annual rate
2. North Port — No. 12 Nationally
North Port posted the biggest workforce surge of any Florida city:
- Housing units jumped 42%
- Labor force increased 78% — the largest workforce gain among Florida’s boomtowns
3. Palm Bay — No. 14 Nationally
- Housing units grew 19%
- Labor force increased 27%
4. Fort Myers — No. 20 Nationally
- Housing units rose 21%
- Labor force grew 42%
5. Cape Coral — No. 22 Nationally
- Housing units increased 30%
- Labor force grew 22%
The Full List: All 19 Florida Boomtowns
Beyond the top five, 14 additional Florida cities made SmartAsset’s national top 75:
- Palm Coast (No. 6)
- North Port (No. 12)
- Palm Bay (No. 14)
- Fort Myers (No. 20)
- Cape Coral (No. 22)
- West Palm Beach
- Doral
- Homestead
- Lauderhill
- Daytona Beach
- Tampa
- Jacksonville
- Deerfield Beach
- Lakeland
- Kissimmee
- Orlando
- Tamarac
- Melbourne
- Pompano Beach
Why This Matters for Florida’s Housing Market
These rankings reflect more than population growth — they show housing construction, workforce expansion, and economic output rising together. For homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals, that combination typically signals:
- Sustained new construction to meet housing demand
- Job growth drawing new residents and buyers to the area
- Stronger local economies supporting long-term property values
SmartAsset did note an important caveat: rapid growth doesn’t automatically benefit every resident equally. Fast-growing cities can also see rising costs of living and increased competition for housing. Still, the data highlights where Florida’s real estate and job markets are expanding the fastest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Florida cities made SmartAsset’s 2026 boomtowns list? Nineteen Florida cities ranked among the nation’s top 75 boomtowns, more than any other state.
Which Florida city ranked highest? Palm Coast ranked No. 6 nationally, the highest of any Florida city, with 27% housing growth and 21% labor force growth from 2019 to 2024.
What data does SmartAsset use to rank boomtowns? SmartAsset analyzed changes in housing units, labor force size, and county-level real GDP for more than 400 U.S. cities with populations over 65,000, comparing 2019 to 2024.
Did Florida beat other states? Yes. Florida’s 19 cities topped Texas, which placed 18 cities on the list — the second-highest total.
Does a high boomtown ranking mean housing is more affordable? Not necessarily. SmartAsset cautions that rapid growth can bring rising costs alongside economic opportunity, so affordability varies by city.
Summary
Florida just claimed the top spot for economic momentum, with 19 cities landing on SmartAsset’s 2026 list of America’s fastest-growing boomtowns — more than any other state in the country. Several South Florida markets made the cut, including West Palm Beach, Doral, Homestead, Lauderhill, Deerfield Beach, Tamarac, and Pompano Beach, reflecting the strong job growth, new construction, and rising economic activity happening right in our backyard. Whether you’re looking to buy in one of these booming communities or sell while demand is strong, now is the time to have an experienced local expert on your side. Contact Natasha at Live South Florida Realty, Inc. today to navigate the South Florida market with confidence, whether you’re buying your next home or selling for top value.
