Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.
When you think about cities that are economic leaders in the United States, you’ll immediately say New York City or Los Angeles. These cities will always be popular destinations for students and new graduates to find work. But there are other cities that are growing even faster, and your growth potential in those cities may be far greater.
Studying in a city with many job opportunities means you might have an easier time getting an internship or other work experience. You can build professional contacts and start creating your network even before you graduate. When you graduate, you’ll already be in a great position to start your job search.
If you’re an international student applying to a university in the United States, you might consider studying in one of these three cities with some of the fastest job growth in the country.
Orlando, Florida
Best known as the home of Walt Disney World and other major theme parks, Orlando is also a thriving center for business. According to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board report, Orlando has had the fastest job growth rate of any large metropolitan area in the United States since 2016.
Even while Orlando adds jobs, its unemployment rate has stayed lower than the state and national averages. That means that it’s probably easier to find a job in Orlando than anywhere else in the United States.
Jobs in manufacturing, construction, and financial services have grown the fastest along with leisure and hospitality. So if you’re earning a degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or Hospitality and Tourism, Orlando might be the city for you.
Atlanta, Georgia
The home of peaches and southern hospitality is also a thriving technology hub. Jobs aren’t the only thing growing in Atlanta. According to projections, Atlanta will be the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States by 2046.
International companies like Coca-Cola, SunTrust Banks, and First Data Corporation are headquartered in Atlanta. The city has the third highest number of Fortune 500 headquarters of any city in the United States. Companies like Boeing, Anthem, Siemens, and Panasonic have opened innovation and data analytics centers there in the last few years.
In Atlanta, the rate of employment growth has stayed well above the national average since 2013. Corporate jobs, hospitality and construction saw the biggest growth. If you’re studying architecture or construction, Data Science, International Business, Entrepreneurship, or Information Science, Atlanta might be the right city for you.
Stockton, California
Other cities in California might be better known, but Stockton is on the rise. Its recent job growth rate is 2.8%, well above the national average of 1.6%. The city also has a low unemployment rate that is expected to fall even lower. That means employers will be looking for people to fill open positions.
In addition to job growth, Stockton also offers diversity. It’s a city where people of all cultures and countries come together. The cost of living is also lower than many areas of California. U.S. News and World Report Named it among the top 125 best places to live.
The biggest growth is projected in health services, leisure and hospitality, and professional scientific and technical services. If you’re studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, or hospitality and tourism, Stockton might be the city for you.
Where to go to school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life. If you need help, contact an education counselor who can help you find your best-fit school.