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Shining Sun Belt Beckons to Rust Belt's Weary

Southern populations, particularly in Texas, continue to explode

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2008 8:43 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Americans are continuing to flock to the Sun Belt, reports the AP. Almost all of the 50 fastest-growing metro areas in 2006 and 2007 were in the South and West, and four of the top 10 were in Texas. None were in the Northeast. Experts say the Sun Belt's strong economies and low house prices are drawing in people, especially from the Rust Belt.

Dallas, Atlanta, and Phoenix were the country's fastest-growing cities. Rust Belt cities are shrinking as Texas booms—Detroit lost more than 27,000 people in 2006-2007, three times more than any other metro area. "People are running away from unaffordable housing, from the economic slowdown," a Texas demographer explained. The shift southwest is slowing, however, as the housing crunch leaves homeowners unable to sell up and move.

Dallas-Fort Worth gew by over 162,000 residents between July 2006 and July 2007, more than any other metro area in the US.
Dallas-Fort Worth gew by over 162,000 residents between July 2006 and July 2007, more than any other metro area in the US.   (Getty Images)
A construction roofer works on the frame of a roof at a new housing development on in this, April 6, 2007 file photo in Phoenix.
A construction roofer works on the frame of a roof at a new housing development on in this, April 6, 2007 file photo in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
Sun Belt cities are growing fast as Americans from elsewhere in the country move to the South and West, attracted by strong economies and low house prices.
Sun Belt cities are growing fast as Americans from elsewhere in the country move to the South and West, attracted by strong economies and low house prices.   ((c) organic.matter)
A construction worker frames a new house Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 in Gilbert, Ariz. Affordable house prices are helping draw people to the Sun Belt from across the US.
A construction worker frames a new house Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 in Gilbert, Ariz. Affordable house prices are helping draw people to the Sun Belt from across the US.   (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Strong Texas economy draws in migrants
Houston Chronicle

Housing market starting to thwart would-be migrants
Wall Street Journal

Water shortages could draw population back to Great Lakes
Artvoice

US

 
Texas • Atlanta • Southwest • Arizona • housing market • Detroit • Dallas • migration • population • cities • Sun Belt • Rust Belt

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