Forget about the bright lights of downtown or the idyllic dream of suburbia—Americans are increasingly choosing to move to exurban areas, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
Last year, the top five counties for population growth through moving were located on the outskirts of major cities in Florida and Texas. Although not specifically defined by the census, “exurbs” generally refer to areas beyond a city’s immediate suburbs but still economically and culturally tied to the metro area.
Exurbs can be as far as 60 miles from their anchor city, making commuting possible but lengthy. These regions have gained popularity due to hybrid work models that reduce the number of days many workers need to be in the office each week.
Florida’s Polk County saw nearly 30,000 more people moving in than out last year, leading U.S. counties in net migration. Situated between Tampa and Orlando, Polk County could be considered an exurb of either city. Its largest city, Lakeland, is about 35 miles from Tampa and 60 miles from Orlando. Despite proximity to these cities’ amenities, homes in Lakeland remain more affordable with a median listing price of $343,000 compared to $399,900 in Tampa and $425,000 in Orlando.
Brian Stephens, a real estate agent in Lakeland with eXp Realty, noted significant growth since the COVID-19 pandemic: “It seems like the traffic has doubled in the last four years,” he said. Stephens receives inquiries from across the country including those relocating for work at local businesses such as Publix’s headquarters or area flight schools.
Interest also comes from hurricane-weary coastal residents and New Yorkers moving post-pandemic: “You’ll still get a handful of calls from the 646 area code,” Stephens remarked.
Realtor.com search data showed Manhattan was a top source for home listing views in Polk County during mid-2022 to mid-2023. Nearly 13% of all views came from Manhattan followed by Hillsborough County (7%) and Orange County (5%).
Other fast-growing exurban counties include Collin County (TX), Montgomery County (TX), Pasco County (FL), and Denton County (TX). From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, these counties saw substantial increases in net migration ranging from over 23,000 new residents in Denton County to nearly 29,000 in Collin County.
Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner commented on this trend: “These five fastest-growing counties are all on the outskirts of major Florida and Texas metros… Floridians and Texans face affordability challenges similar to prospective homebuyers nationwide.” He added that flexible work arrangements make longer commutes feasible while offering more affordable housing options outside major city limits.
