5 fast-growing US small towns most Americans have never heard of — and whether retirees should quietly migrate before everyone else catches on

Here are five boom towns and what retirees should know before packing up.

One big concern? As more retirees seek a higher quality of life in small towns, rapid growth can lead to rising home prices, strained infrastructure and health-care gaps.

5 small towns that are booming

1. Wildwood, Florida

The fastest-growing town in the U.S. for 2025-2026 is Wildwood, FL, according to U.S. News & World Report (2). The town’s population has doubled in the past three years, to 36,493, with a 20% net migration rate.

Rapidly doubling a town’s population can put pressure on infrastructure.

As of February 2026, Wildwood home prices were up 8.6% compared to the previous year, selling for a median price of $366,000, according to Redfin data (3). Still, that’s below the national median sale price of $429,226.

The town has a high unemployment rate, at 9.47%, according to U.S. News & World Report (4). So if you want to work during retirement, it may take some time to find something suitable. But, the town also has a median age of 64.5, so it may be easier to build new friendships. If you’re considering a move, you may want to do it sooner than later before costs increase.

2. Coolidge, Arizona

Coolidge, which sits between Phoenix and Tucson, saw its population grow 46% from 13,433 in 2020 to 19,674 between 2020 and 2024, according to Census data (5). But the median sale price of a home in February 2026 was $277,000, down 4.0% since last year, according to Redfin (6).

While housing is affordable, weather is a major consideration. In summer, the Sonoran Desert can see daily temperatures soar above 100°F. Coolidge has a major risk of wildfire (7) and an extreme heat factor rating (8), and is expected to see a 157% increase in the number of days over 113°F over the next 30 years. And this could mean higher insurance rates.

Still, it’s considered one of the most affordable suburbs in the Phoenix area — for now. But if you can’t handle the heat, then it may not be the best choice.

3. Hoschton, Georgia

This tiny town located between Atlanta and Athens had a population of just 2,758 in 2020. By 2024, that skyrocketed by 144% to 6,723, according to Census data (5).

So, while it’s still a small town, growth has been rapid. And that’s had an impact on the housing market.

Home prices jumped 26.6% between February 2025 to February 2026, selling for a median price of $534,950, according to Redfin data (9). The average home takes 208 days to sell and multiple offers are rare.

If you work in Atlanta, it’s a long commute, but the town itself is family-friendly and relatively safe (10). You have a one in 1,121 — 0.09% — chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime in Hoschton compared to a 4.7% chance in Atlanta (11).

But rapid growth could turn the rural vibe into something more akin to a suburb. If you want to move here, now is the time.

4. Katy, Texas

In 2020, Katy had a population of 22,419. By 2024, that had increased to 27,741 — a 23.74% growth rate, according to Census data (5). The housing market here is somewhat competitive, with houses selling for a median price of $328,915 in February 2026, according to Redfin data (12).

The median household income of $121,203 is much higher than the national median. Texas doesn’t have state income tax, though Katy does have high property taxes — some of the highest in the country — and extremely hot summers.

Overall, the town has a younger population, with a median age of 36.6 years, according to U.S. News & World Report (13). Only 14% of the population is over age 65, but Katy has a dedicated Senior Services Department for senior-focused programming and is known for its high-quality health care.

So if you’re considering Texas, you might want to take a closer look at Katy before the secret gets out.

5. Tontitown, Arkansas

This town has experienced a whopping 70% population growth between 2020 and 2024, when it grew from just 4,685 people to 7,941, according to Census data (5). So it’s perhaps not surprising that the housing market is competitive, with the median home selling for $450,000 in February 2026, according to Redfin data (14) — making it among the priciest housing markets in Arkansas.

Overall, though, Tontitown is affordable, relatively safe and close to Fayetteville and Springdale for health care. The town, which sits in the Ozark Mountains, has a rural feel (and strong Italian-American roots), but also has established infrastructure, like roads and health care.