As the effects of the great global recession are slowly fading away, the Americans are relocating. Some are moving back to the cities they had abandoned once the recession hit, while the others are moving to areas where the pastures are greener, in terms of jobs and cost of living.
According to the recent data released by the Census Bureau of U.S., it was revealed that an oil and gas boom was driving most of the American population to the West, the South or the Great Plains.
Apparently, the demographic shift among the people of America might mean that the job scenario is improving in the country. It also could reflect the fact that lesser people are burdened by mortgage loans and are more mobile, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Here is a list of the top five U.S. metro cities where Americans have relocated in 2012:
Midland, Texas
Midland - "the Tall City" recorded the highest rate of percentage increase in population. According to the census report, the population of the city was around 144,953 in 2011, which grew to be 151,662 in 2012. The total percentage increase was around 4.6 percent. Midlands boasts the country's lowest unemployment rate at 3.4 percent.
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville fared second in the census' list of fastest growing cities on the basis of population. The city's population of 264,625 went up to 274,342, accounting for a percentage increase of 3.7 percent. Around 70 percent of Clarksville's growth rate was fueled by influx of migrants.
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Florida
Crestview and Destin are two principal cities of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Florida and are coextensive with Okaloosa County. The population in the region in 2011 was around 239,021, which went up to 247,665 accounting for a 3.6 percent increase. The area's unemployment rate is around 5.9 percent, which is the lowest in Florida.
The Villages, Florida
The Villages community in Florida is a part of the Sumter County. In 2011, the population in the region was around 98,237, which went up to around 101,620, recording a 3.4 percentage increase. The job growth rate in the region was around 2.93 percent and the future job growth is predicted to be around 38.06 percent.
Odessa, Texas
The city of Odessa in the Ector County of Texas recorded a 3.4 percent increase in population as well. The city had a head count of around 139,588 in 2011, which went up to around 144,325 in 2012. The unemployment rate in the city is around 5.3 percent and the future growth rate is predicted to be around 34.32 percent.
Check out the complete Census Bureau Report here.
