Bold takeaway: a Chicago area suburb has been crowned Illinois’s top boomtown, driven by rapid population and income growth, while the national story features a Texas city with explosive expansion. Now, here’s how the story unfolds and what it means for readers who track growth trends.
A finance site, GOBankingRates, analyzed cities with populations between 25,000 and 500,000 using U.S. Census Bureau data from 2015 and 2023. The goal was to identify, within each state, the municipality that posted the largest population increase over an eight-year period, adjusting for both headcount and wealth indicators to capture real growth.
In Illinois, Plainfield earned the No. 1 spot. This southwest Chicago suburb, which straddles Kendall and Will counties, reported a population of 44,762 in the 2020 Census. Its 2023 statistics show notable gains:
- 2023 total population: 45,705
- 2023 per capita income: $53,675
- Population change from 2015 to 2023: +11.9%
- Per capita income change from 2015 to 2023: +43.2%
These figures helped elevate Plainfield to the top position for Illinois, marking it as the state’s most significant boomtown on the study’s criteria. However, Plainfield’s rise doesn’t translate to a national leadership role.
On the national stage, Fulshear, Texas—a city of roughly 40,000 residents located just outside Houston—claimed the top nationwide spot. The data indicate an extraordinary growth trajectory for Fulshear, with its population increasing by about 736% over the eight-year window cited by the study.
Key takeaway for readers: while Illinois highlights Plainfield as its standout boomtown, national attention goes to Texas communities like Fulshear that demonstrate the most dramatic growth in recent years. This contrast underscores how boomtown dynamics can vary dramatically from state to state and across the country.
What do you think about these growth patterns? Do you see similar expansion in your area, or do you anticipate shifts driven by housing, employment opportunities, or infrastructure improvements? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
