Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

Nairavoice | Oct 29, 2026 1d ago 132 0 8 min read

Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

6ad0bb1fadb77227909a5ddb?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

US Census data shows population growth in small towns across every state from 2020 to 2025.
Many of the towns are in proximity to major cities, often within 25 miles.
They range from rural mountain towns to desert communities.

Business Insider used the latest five-year Census population estimates, covering July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, to calculate the population growth percentage for each state’s towns and cities over the period.

Census population estimates are revised every year, so some 2020 figures differ slightly from estimates published in previous years.

To avoid municipalities with negligible populations, we considered only places with more than 1,000 residents in the 2020 population estimates. We also excluded unincorporated areas and Census-designated places belonging to a larger city. Of the 50 places, most have populations under 20,000.

Here’s each state’s fastest-growing city or town.

Triana, Alabama

6acf970badb77227909a5344?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 3,003

2025 population: 5,244

Percentage growth: 75%

Sitting in the northern region of Alabama along the Tennessee River, Triana was named the fourth-best suburb to live in Alabama by Niche, a real-estate and education ranking platform.

Wasilla, Alaska

6acf97e9e50b02f612be3209?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 9,113

2025 population: 10,556

Percentage growth: 16%

Wasilla sits roughly 40 miles north of Anchorage, the state’s largest city. As of 2020, Wasilla had just 732 residents per square mile, according to Census data.

Coolidge, Arizona

6acf99462428f6b455811f03?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 13,425

2025 population: 19,959

Percentage growth: 49%

Coolidge sits between Phoenix and Tucson and is home to the site of the Casa Grande Ruins, containing fragments of Native American structures. Sitting in the Sonoran Desert, the town sees frequent daily temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

Highfill, Arkansas

6ad0a3cdadb77227909a5da5?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,672

2025 population: 3,676

Percentage growth: 120%

Highfill is about 15 miles away from Bentonville, Arkansas, and is near the Northwest Arkansas National Airport.

Paradise, California

6acf9a9cadb77227909a5364?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 5,090

2025 population: 10,023

Percentage growth: 97%

The rapid growth can largely be attributed to Paradise’s recovery after the 2018 Camp Fire, which ravaged the community. Per the Census, the town had over 26,000 residents in 2010, and is still rebuilding after being at the heart of the deadliest fire in the state’s history.

Elizabeth, Colorado

6ad0a4eaadb77227909a5db4?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,710

2025 population: 2,957

Percentage growth: 73%

Elizabeth is about 40 miles from Denver, making it popular for those seeking a rural life while living within commuting distance of Colorado’s economic hub, according to a report by Outside.

Woodmont, Connecticut

6ad0a6b8adb77227909a5db8?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,554

2025 population: 2,391

Percentage growth: 54%

Woodmont, a borough of Milford, is a popular summer destination, according to the Connecticut Tourism Office. It is about 7 miles away from New Haven.

Cheswold, Delaware

6acf9b7dadb77227909a536b?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,938

2025 population: 2,653

Percentage growth: 37%

In 2000, Cheswold had just over 300 residents, per the Census.

Westlake, Florida

6acf9c80e50b02f612be3229?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,048

2025 population: 9,042

Percentage growth: 763%

Westlake was formerly farmland before the land was purchased by Minto Group, a real-estate company with development plans for the area. The town only officially became a municipality in 2016.

Occupying over 6 miles of land, Westlake has thousands of single-family residential homes with more under construction, according to the town.

Hoschton, Georgia

6acf9cede50b02f612be322c?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,775

2025 population: 8,623

Percentage growth: 211%

Hawai’i County, Hawaii

6acf9d202428f6b455811f1f?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 200,744

2025 population: 210,043

Percentage growth: 4.6%

Of the five counties — Hawai’i, Honolulu, Kalawao, Kaua’i, and Maui — Hawai’i County, commonly known as the “Big Island,” reported the largest population growth from 2020 to 2025.

Star, Idaho

6acf9debadb77227909a5384?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 11,488

2025 population: 20,874

Percentage growth: 82%

Star is located just 15 miles northwest of Boise.

Wonder Lake, Illinois

6acf9e972428f6b455811f2a?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 4,004

2025 population: 5,593

Percentage growth: 40%

Whitestown, Indiana

6acf9f54e50b02f612be3242?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 10,383

2025 population: 15,767

Percentage growth: 52%

Tiffin, Iowa

6acfa009adb77227909a539d?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 4,625

2025 population: 7,156

Percentage growth: 55%

The fast-growing suburb sits F. W. Kent County Park, a sought-after destination in the state for outdoor activities. Tiffin is located 22 miles south of Cedar Rapids.

Maize, Kansas

6ad0aa2c2428f6b455812974?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 5,818

2025 population: 7,853

Percentage growth: 35%

It takes under 20 minutes to drive from Maize to central Wichita.

Elkton, Kentucky

6acfa0bb2428f6b455811f49?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,061

2025 population: 2,387

Percentage growth: 16%

Maurice, Louisiana

6acfa168adb77227909a53af?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,185

2025 population: 3,215

Percentage growth: 47%

Maurice is just southwest of Lafayette, Louisiana’s fourth-largest city.

Greenville, Maine

6acfa267e50b02f612be3265?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,440

2025 population: 1,743

Percentage growth: 21%

Far from the cities of Portland and Bangor, Greenville is located further inland at the southern tip of Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest freshwater body, according to Visit Maine. Greenville sits roughly 60 miles from the US-Canada border.

Trappe, Maryland

6acfa2eaadb77227909a53b9?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,177

2025 population: 1,517

Percentage growth: 29%

Trappe has seen growth in population in part because of a modern housing development, Lakeside at Trappe.

Bolton, Massachusetts

6ad0b4b0e50b02f612be3c8a?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 5666

2025 population: 6477

Percentage growth: 14%

Bolton is about 18 miles northeast of Worcester and about 40 miles west of Boston.

Editor’s Note: Amherst had the largest estimated population increase from 2020 to 2025, but Business Insider chose second-place Bolton because Amherst’s unusually low 2020 estimate could have been distorted by pandemic-era student departures.

Manton, Michigan

6acfa3feadb77227909a53cd?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,271

2025 population: 1,626

Percentage growth: 28%

Manton was a finalist in Reader’s Digest’s “Nicest Place in America” ranking in 2021.

Dayton, Minnesota

6acfa48ae50b02f612be327b?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 7,432

2025 population: 11,402

Percentage growth: 53%

Sumrall, Mississippi

6acfa5632428f6b455811f87?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,777

2025 population: 2,299

Percentage growth: 29%

Sumrall sits just over 15 miles northwest of Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s fifth-largest city.

Rogersville, Missouri

6acfa60f2428f6b455811f99?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 3,897

2025 population: 5,754

Percentage growth: 48%

According to 2024 Census data, there are about 2.98 households per resident in Rogersville, which is above the national average.

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The town is located 20 miles east of Springfield.

Kalispell, Montana

6acfa66dadb77227909a53f1?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 25,263

2025 population: 31,851

Percentage growth: 26%

According to the 2024 Census data, Kalispell is the seventh-largest city in Montana by population and the eighth-largest by land area.

Hickman, Nebraska

6a8f03f63f7df8787cff3968?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,655

2025 population: 3,663

Percentage growth: 38%

Hickman’s population has more than tripled since 2000, per the Census. The town is under 20 miles south of Lincoln, the state’s capital city.

Mesquite, Nevada

6acfa826adb77227909a53ff?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 20,608

2025 population: 24,001

Percentage growth: 16%

Epping, New Hampshire

6ad0aadfe50b02f612be3c7a?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 7,153

2025 population: 7,973

Percentage growth: 11%

The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute attributed Epping’s population growth to its proximity to major state highways and economic hubs in the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley, and Boston.

Seaside Park, New Jersey

6acfaa19adb77227909a5410?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,445

2025 population: 2,135

Percentage growth: 48%

Seaside Park neighbors Seaside Heights, a popular Jersey Shore destination known for its amusement park.

Los Lunas, New Mexico

6acfaacbe50b02f612be32b8?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 17,454

2025 population: 20,572

Percentage growth: 18%

Los Lunas has held significance at different points in American history, including its use as a bombing range after World War II, according to the Center for Land Use Interpretation.

The town is about 20 miles south of Albuquerque.

Kiryas Joel, New York

6acfab67adb77227909a541c?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 33,507

2025 population: 47,147

Percentage growth: 41%

Kiryas Joel, coterminous with the town of Palm Tree, has a predominantly Hasidic Jewish population and covers only 1.46 square miles, according to the 2020 Census.

Wendell, North Carolina

6acfabe1adb77227909a541f?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 9,997

2025 population: 19,687

Percentage growth: 97%

Horace, North Dakota

6acfad8ce50b02f612be32cd?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 3,249

2025 population: 7,001

Percentage growth: 115%

Horace is a suburb of Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city by population, and is itself the 13th most populous city in the state.

South Bloomfield, Ohio

6ad09519e50b02f612be3c14?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,147

2025 population: 4,164

Percentage growth: 94%

South Bloomfield is located 20 miles south of Columbus.

Newcastle, Oklahoma

6ad096052428f6b4558128fc?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 11,171

2025 population: 15,198

Percentage growth: 36%

A suburb of Oklahoma City, Newcastle appeared on 24/7 Wall St.’s “The Best City to Live in Every State” list in 2019.

Estacada, Oregon

6ad096fce50b02f612be3c1b?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 4,531

2025 population: 5,814

Percentage growth: 28%

Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania

6ad0af7eadb77227909a5dc8?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,765

2025 population: 3,734

Percentage growth: 35%

Lancaster Township is a small municipality in Butler County, western Pennsylvania, and is separate from the much larger city of Lancaster in southeastern Pennsylvania. It’s about 34 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Glocester, Rhode Island

6ad0987f2428f6b455812910?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 9,984

2025 population: 10,612

Percentage growth: 6.3%

Glocester, seated 20 miles northwest of Providence, contains the villages of Harmony and Chepachet.

Hardeeville, South Carolina

6ad099862428f6b455812914?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 7,764

2025 population: 16,459

Percentage growth: 112%

Located under 20 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, Hardeeville has historically had the nickname “The Lowcountry Host” for its many hotels and accommodations for travelers, per the Hardeeville Police Department.

Harrisburg, South Dakota

6ad09a962428f6b455812922?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 6,845

2025 population: 10,405

Percentage growth: 52%

Lebanon, Tennessee

6ad09cceadb77227909a5d66?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 38,908

2025 population: 53,412

Percentage growth: 37%

Located 30 minutes east of Nashville, Lebanon is becoming a population hub in its own right. The town is home to the Nashville Superspeedway and Cumberland University.

Josephine, Texas

6ad09d8fadb77227909a5d6b?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 2,283

2025 population: 10,208

Percentage growth: 347%

Josephine, 40 miles northeast of Dallas, is experiencing a major housing boom. Companies like D.R. Horton are constructing developments with hundreds of homes, and the low cost of living in the area is attracting a lot of millennial first-time homebuyers, Business Insider’s Alcynna Lloyd reported.

Saratoga Springs, Utah

6ad09e282428f6b45581292f?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 38,318

2025 population: 61,397

Percentage growth: 60%

Saratoga Springs sits along Utah Lake and is among Utah’s 15 most populous cities. Saratoga Springs has a reputation for safety, with its total crime rate 69% below the national average, per Best Utah Real Estate.

Newport, Vermont

6ad09e742428f6b455812931?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,581

2025 population: 2,583

Percentage growth: 63%

The town, a distinct municipality from the neighboring city of Newport, is just over 5 miles south of the US-Canada border and is one of Vermont’s least populous municipalities.

Louisa, Virginia

6ad09eeaadb77227909a5d72?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 1,993

2025 population: 2,244

Percentage growth: 13%

Ridgefield, Washington

6ad09f71e50b02f612be3c43?format=jpeg Every US state's fastest-growing small town you probably have never heard of

2020 population: 10,875

2025 population: 16,132

Percentage growth: 48%

Located near Vancouver, Washington, Ridgefield has a history as a Native American village site, which was visited during the Lewis and Clark expedition, the city says.

Charles Town, West Virginia