1. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA: Up 4.3%This remote area of Washington is home to a decommissioned nuclear facility that’s been the target of the nation’s largest environmental cleanup. The project attracted nearly $2 billion in federal stimulus money and about 3,000 contract jobs. The area isThis remote area of Washington is home to a decommissioned nuclear facility that’s been the target of the nation’s largest environmental cleanup. The project attracted nearly $2 billion in federal stimulus money and about 3,000 contract jobs. The area is also home to three hospitals—one local CEO predicts that health care spending in the region will continue to increase, which will further bump up the number of health care-sector jobs. And the three cities draw tourists, who spend about $350 million each year there, including $48 million in retail and $118 million at restaurants.iStockphoto2. Austin, TX Metro: Up 3.9%You know a city’s doing well when the media calls it the “next Silicon Valley.” Dell Computer is headquartered here, and Apple announced this spring that it’s bringing a $304 million operations center to the area, along with 3,600 jobs. This spring, MarriYou know a city’s doing well when the media calls it the “next Silicon Valley.” Dell Computer is headquartered here, and Apple announced this spring that it’s bringing a $304 million operations center to the area, along with 3,600 jobs. This spring, Marriott broke ground on a hotel that will occupy an entire block, and having the country’s fifth-largest university in town (the 51,000-student University of Texas) doesn’t hurt. The area added about 9,200 new jobs from June 2010 to June 2011. All of it has made landlords happy and renters fretful—the city’s rents are at all-time high, and occupancy rates are soaring.Reuters3. Hinesville, GA: Up 3.4%Hinesville benefits from being next to Fort Stewart, home of the 3rd Infantry Division and the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River. In 2009, the fort received $400 million in federal money for new construction projects in preparation for movinHinesville benefits from being next to Fort Stewart, home of the 3rd Infantry Division and the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River. In 2009, the fort received $400 million in federal money for new construction projects in preparation for moving the brigade there. And in 2010, Hinesville experienced one of the fastest personal income growth in the country, largely because of increases in military earnings. It also helps that Hinesville is located in Liberty County, which is a hub for foreign manufacturers. In 2009, Hinesville made CNN Money’s list of best places to launch a small business.Reuters4. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX: Up 3.0%Proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border has been a key selling point for this fast-growing metro area. Companies like Nokia, Panasonic, General Electric, and T-Mobile have built facilities here, and other large employers include two universities, five major hProximity to the U.S.-Mexico border has been a key selling point for this fast-growing metro area. Companies like Nokia, Panasonic, General Electric, and T-Mobile have built facilities here, and other large employers include two universities, five major hospitals, and a major customs and border patrol station that has received some of the $90 billion in new federal funding for border security. The area’s population grew 36 percent between 2000 and 2010 and is projected rise another 58 percent by 2030. And the low cost of living—25 percent lower than the U.S. average—also attracts movers.McAllen, TX5. Raleigh, NC Metro: Up 2.9%As the state capital, Raleigh has a strong public jobs sector that’s complemented by jobs at three world-class universities, two hospital systems, and companies like IBM and GlaxoSmithKline. From 2011 to 2012, Raleigh’s job growth climbed more than 2 percAs the state capital, Raleigh has a strong public jobs sector that’s complemented by jobs at three world-class universities, two hospital systems, and companies like IBM and GlaxoSmithKline. From 2011 to 2012, Raleigh’s job growth climbed more than 2 percent, and the city ranked number 7 on Forbes 2012 list of best big cities for jobs. Raleigh boasts a young, educated population that grew almost 42 percent from 2000−2010, making it the fourth-fastest-growing metro in the nation, and its population is expected to rise another 36 percent by 2020, according to data analysis firm ProximityOne.iStockphoto6. Warner Robins, GA: Up 2.9%West of Hinesville is Warner Robins, whose population has grown around the Robins Air Force Base. With 23,000 employees and 3,000 contractors, the base is a major driver of the area’s economy, accounting for 30 percent of its jobs and some $4.1 billion inWest of Hinesville is Warner Robins, whose population has grown around the Robins Air Force Base. With 23,000 employees and 3,000 contractors, the base is a major driver of the area’s economy, accounting for 30 percent of its jobs and some $4.1 billion in local economic activity. This year’s growth is nothing new: the city's population swelled by 36 percent between 2000 and 2010. A $7 million city law enforcement center is also going up this year, which has boosted the number of construction jobs, and a $4 million entertainment center being finished this summer that will add another 100.Wikimedia Commons7. Provo, UT Metro: Up 2.7%The Provo area’s latest population increase is part of a longer-term trend: the metro population has doubled over the past two decades. Provo benefits from the presence of Brigham Young University, the top employer in the metro area. It also has three majThe Provo area’s latest population increase is part of a longer-term trend: the metro population has doubled over the past two decades. Provo benefits from the presence of Brigham Young University, the top employer in the metro area. It also has three major hospitals, software company Novell, and two large nutrition product wholesalers. Overall, the number of jobs grew by 3 percent in the Provo metro in 2011, third-best in the country, and the area had the 10th-lowest crime rate nationally, according to Forbes. The city also topped Forbes’ 2012 list of best U.S. cities for business and careers.iStockphoto8. Charleston, SC Metro: Up 2.6%Charleston is home to an airforce base that by one estimate is responsible for about 22,000 local jobs. The largest area employers are defense contractors, auto parts manufacturers, biomedical firms, and wind energy equipment makers. Boeing recently openeCharleston is home to an airforce base that by one estimate is responsible for about 22,000 local jobs. The largest area employers are defense contractors, auto parts manufacturers, biomedical firms, and wind energy equipment makers. Boeing recently opened a new $750 million aircraft manufacturing plant in North Charleston that created 3,800 direct and 11,000 indirect jobs. Charleston experienced the largest growth in manufacturing jobs of any U.S. metro in 2010 and 2011, 14.4 percent, according to a recent Brookings Institution report.iStockphoto9. Myrtle Beach Metro, SC: Up 2.6%Up the coast from Charleston, Myrtle Beach has an economy driven by tourism—it attracts 14.6 million visitors every summer. Though nearly half the metro-area employment is in tourism-related industries and retail, other large employers are Blue Cross/BlueUp the coast from Charleston, Myrtle Beach has an economy driven by tourism—it attracts 14.6 million visitors every summer. Though nearly half the metro-area employment is in tourism-related industries and retail, other large employers are Blue Cross/Blue Shield and AVX Corporation, which manufactures electronic components. The area also has two hospitals, two airports, and 11 colleges and universities. The city’s latest growth mirrors longer term trends—its population grew 19 percent between 2000 and 2010. It’s also a destination for retirement-aged seniors and baby boomers.iStockPhoto10. Yuma, AZ: Up 2.6%Located on the California and Mexico borders, Yuma’s access to Mexican markets has attracted several Fortune 500 companies, including International Paper, Carrier, and Shaw Industries. It’s also home to two military installations—the Yuma Proving Ground,Located on the California and Mexico borders, Yuma’s access to Mexican markets has attracted several Fortune 500 companies, including International Paper, Carrier, and Shaw Industries. It’s also home to two military installations—the Yuma Proving Ground, which tests military equipment, and the Marine Corps Air Station—and a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol station. All told, the number of federal government jobs is up 7 percent since 2000, and the number of state and local jobs jumped 23 percent. Another attraction is the weather—the sun shines 90 percent of the time, bringing in some 85,000 snowbird RV’ers in 2010.iStockphoto
