America’s newest neighborhoods. 50 zip codes that barely existed a decade ago

Key takeaways:

• America’s booming neighborhoods are clustered in about one third of all states.
• Texas leads with 17 of the nation’s top 50 newest neighborhoods.
• Chino, CA, saw the biggest growth in the last 10 years, marking a 14-fold rise in apartments and homes.

 

No zip code grew faster than 91708 in Chino, CA. Here, the number of housing units multiplied 14 times between 2014 and 2023. Chino’s transformation from a dairy and agricultural community to a major suburban center reflects broader trends in California‘s Inland Empire.

Next is zip code 80547 in Colorado. This rural growth node that covers Timnath, CO, saw a sixfold increase in its home stock. Then, staying in Colorado, in third place is zip code 80927, an emerging area known as Banning Lewis Ranch. Here, too, the number of homes multiplied nearly six times in five years and more growth is expected east of Colorado Springs.

Overall, the top 50 list includes 17 zip codes in Texas, seven in Colorado and four in Florida. Browse the complete list to see where to start your search if you want to live in a new neighborhood.  

When it comes to up-and-coming communities, Texas is again the standout leader with 16 zip codes, followed by Florida with eight and California with five.

All of these places noted sprawling expansions with a rise of up to 30% in highly educated residents, in addition to healthy income gains. Notably, the Metro Center in Nashville, TN, shines with a tripling of the median income and number of housing units in the last decade, as well as a solid share of highly educated residents (71%). This makes it one of the most prosperous enclaves in the nation as it checks all the boxes in our analysis.

Which are America’s newest neighborhoods?

While apartment construction in the U.S. has been breaking records in the last couple of years, a few growth hotspots have changed the housing map of the South. Specifically, Texas is the leading state with the most brand new neighborhoods, but here are more details on the top 10:

1. Zip code 91708 in Chino, CA

This Los Angeles exurb sets itself apart from the other 49 in our top 50 newest neighborhoods with a 14-fold increase in housing inventory. In just 10 years, the Inland Empire enclave expanded from 400 apartments and homes to more than 5,600 as its population grew fivefold.

Chino, CA, successfully leveraged its strategic location, transportation infrastructure and available land to accommodate rapid residential and commercial growth.

2. Zip code 80547 in Timnath, CO

Second on our list is zip code 80547, which encompasses Timnath, CO. To get a sense of the growth that happened here, it’s worth noting that there are six times more housing units now than there were in 2014. Additionally, the town’s population saw a similar jump to more than 8,000 residents.

Located southeast of Fort Collins, CO, and close to Interstate 25, the town became attractive to families seeking suburban living near major job centers, with new commercial developments fueling growth.

3. Zip code 80927 in Colorado Springs, CO

Another one of the country’s newest communities is Banning Lewis Ranch in Colorado zip code 80927. In just 10 years, housing options in Banning Lewis Ranch multiplied nearly sixfold (the same as its population). Today, there are about 2,500 homes and apartments in the area and around 7,000 residents.

The neighborhood grew around a large, master-planned community that includes housing, but also amenities like a water park, trails, pickleball courts and a community clubhouse.

Here’s the complete list of the top 50 new neighborhoods in the U.S.:

4. Zip code 77441 in Fulshear, TX

At #4 on our newest neighborhoods in America list is Fulshear, TX, which coincides with zip code 77441. This Texas enclave’s housing inventory is approaching 11,000 units after a fivefold rise between 2014 and 2023. What’s also impressive is that the town’s population rose six times in that same timeframe, inching closer to 33,000 residents.

Fulshear is a good example of exurban spillover as it’s located within proximity of Houston’s major employment centers, like the Energy Corridor and Texas Medical Center. In fact, Fulshear is about 30 miles from downtown Houston, which makes it a great living option for commuters.

5. Zip code 32081 in Pontevedra, FL

From Texas we move over to Florida, where zip code 32081 (known as Ponte Vedra) counts more than 10,000 housing units for a significant jump from just 2,102 in 2014. The fivefold increase is the reflection of a similar surge in population as this Jacksonville suburb gained roughly 21,500 residents in 10 years.

Ponte Vedra’s growth has also been supported by the expanding Northeast Florida market. As you might expect, its appeal is based on its desirable location and lifestyle.

6. Zip code 07311 in Jersey City, NJ

Up in the Northeast, zip code 07311 in Jersey City, NJ, stands out with a 300% housing inventory increase. As such, this waterfront enclave now counts about 1,300 housing units from roughly 330 in 2014. Plus, its population is approaching 2,000 residents after a fivefold rise in 10 years.

What led to the rise of zip code 07311? First, the city’s pro-development policies — from zoning to tax abatements — laid the groundwork for the area’s vertical expansion. Second, the city’s overall proximity to New York City (and this waterfront neighborhood’s location, in particular) attracted investors who recognized its potential.

7. Zip code 76177 in Fort Worth, TX

In seventh place, we find North Fort Worth, TX. In 10 years, its housing inventory increased roughly fourfold to more than 10,000 units. At the same time, its population saw similar gains to more than 24,000 residents, earning its status as one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the nation.

Zip code 76177’s growth was stimulated by the overall economic expansion of the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Like many places in Texas, this enclave attracts residents due to a mix of accessibility, community and opportunities.

8. Zip code 80924 in Colorado Springs, CO

Next, we return to Colorado Springs for zip code 80924. Corresponding with Wolf Ranch, this zip code is another example of an expanding master-planned community. More precisely, between 2014 and 2023, zip code 80924’s housing stock rose three times to approximately 6,200 units. Meanwhile, its population also tripled to more than 17,000 residents.

While the community boasts panoramic Rocky Mountain views, it also offers proximity to Academy School District 20, one of Colorado’s top-ranked school districts. Plus, it’s located in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

9. Zip code 75078 in Prosper, TX

This is the third Texas zip code of the 17 that are on the top 50 newest neighborhoods in America list. Located in Prosper, TX, the area tripled its housing units in 10 years to more than 14,400. Its growth was driven by a solid population increase of 254% to nearly 47,000 residents.

The expansion of zip code 75078 is the result of the suburban boom in North Texas, where some of the fastest-growing communities in the nation are located. These areas offer easy access to Dallas jobs and provide newly built schools and quality urban services. This is why about one-third of Prosper’s residents work from home.

10. Zip code 75454 in Melissa, TX

Melissa, TX, is another suburban success story. That’s because this North Texas area tripled its housing inventory and population between 2014 and 2023. Part of this expansion was fueled by apartment construction. For example, 280 apartment building permits were issued in 2022 alone, according to local media.

Here again, proximity to Dallas and accelerated development activity are driving growth. Looking ahead, Melissa is slated for more housing projects to accommodate new residents.

What are the fastest-growing urban enclaves in the U.S.?

Interestingly, our list of the newest neighborhoods also includes urban comeback zones, or places that are now thriving thanks to revitalization initiatives and renewed investor interest. Some of these neighborhoods are close to busy international airports. Namely, zip codes 73179 near Southside Oklahoma City; 73173 in South Oklahoma City; and 80238 in Northeast Denver, one of the city’s booming areas.

Not far from the Denver International Airport (one of the busiest in the world), Northeast Denver registered a 154% rise in its housing inventory and a similar surge in population in the last decade. This fed its transition from open fields to commercial and residential hub.

Likewise, the Metro Center in Nashville, TN, (zip code 37228) has a similar story after it nearly tripled its housing supply, which now counts more than 9,700 units. Its population also went up 90% between 2014 and 2023, underscoring the neighborhood’s transformation from master-planned business park to mixed-use community.

Speaking of infill development, Downtown Minneapolis (zip code 55415) also deserves a special mention here. With a growing residential population and a 140% surge in housing units, this core neighborhood ranks 35th on our list.

More brand new neighborhoods are built in the South than anywhere else

If you’ve already read our apartment construction report, this might not come as a surprise: The South is seeing increased construction activity, and it’s also where 30 of the top 50 new neighborhoods are located. More precisely, 21 are in the South Central region and nine are in the Southeast.

Below are the top 10 newest neighborhoods in each region. The Southeast and Midwest each have fewer than 10 zip codes overall: 

In the South Central area, zip code 77441 in Fulshear, TX, saw the most growth as its housing stock increased fivefold between 2014 and 2023. Nearby, the Southeast’s fastest-growing neighborhood was Ponte Vedra, FL, zip code 32081, which marked a similar growth rate.

Moving on, the West counts 14 zip codes on our newest neighborhoods list and half are in Colorado. However, zip code 91708 in Chino, CA, leads the way with a massive, 14-fold increase in the number of housing units.

The remaining five zip codes in the top 50 are all in the Midwest with zip code 52340 in Tiffin, IA, in the lead. This booming Iowa City suburb almost tripled its population in 10 years and saw a similar rise in its housing stock.

Where are America’s top up-and-coming communities?

New construction is just the first step in a neighborhood’s evolution. To see where growth is also reshaping local economies and lifestyles, we created a separate list of up-and-coming communities — places where housing growth is happening alongside higher-paying jobs and a growing number of college-educated residents.

So, where are these communities? Largely in Texas. The Lone Star State counts 16 neighborhoods of the 55 zip codes that are not only growing, but also adding highly educated residents and healthy income gains. Next is Florida with eight zip codes and California with five.

Take Prosper, TX, for instance: Once a quiet rural town, zip code 75078 is now a booming suburb where the population has tripled and the share of highly educated residents has surged to roughly 91%. In fact, in just a decade, the powerful ripple effect of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has reshaped Prosper from small, rural community to a fast-growing suburb.

 

Back east, Florida’s up-and-coming zip codes are spread out across the peninsula, outside of cities like Jacksonville, Orlando or Miami. For example, in Lake County, zip code 34715 (which overlaps Clermont, near Orlando) marked a 55% rise in housing units and a 67% surge in population between 2014 and 2023.

On the opposite coast, California counts five zip codes on our list, including San Francisco’s 94158 and 95134, covering North San Jose. The latter experienced growth driven by Silicon Valley’s tech boom dynamics. Precisely, housing inventory doubled in 10 years and its population surged by 80%. Now, more than 93% of residents are highly educated, while the median income increased by 34%.

Meanwhile, San Francisco’s Mission Bay waterfront tells a striking comeback story. Once a blighted industrial area, it has transformed into a thriving mixed-use district anchored by biotech, residential development and the University of California San Francisco’s medical center. Today, the neighborhood is home to roughly 14,700 housing units — twice as many as in 2014 — a surge that helped double its population between 2014 and 2023. Over the same period, typical incomes climbed by more than 70%, underscoring Mission Bay’s rapid evolution.

Here are America’s up-and-coming communities:

Methodology

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

This analysis is based on data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, including variables such as the number of housing units, population, occupancy rate, share of renters and homeowners, median household income and the proportion of residents with higher education for the 2014-2023 timeframe.

We defined “newest neighborhoods” as areas meeting all the following criteria:

• at least 1,000 housing units in 2023
• an occupancy rate of 89.5% or higher
• an inventory change of at least 51% between 2014 and 2023

We defined “up-and-coming communities” as areas meeting the criteria above, as well as:

• positive share change of educated people
• median income increase of at least 25% between 2023 versus 2014

To estimate the evolution of the median income, the median income value from 2023 was compared with that from 2014. The 2014 median income was adjusted to 2023 price levels using the cumulative inflation index for the period 2014-2023. This ensured the comparability of the values in real terms (adjusted for inflation).

Neighborhood boundaries were identified through a spatial overlay of Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). The analysis draws on a comprehensive dataset covering roughly 32,400 zip codes nationwide, providing a representative view of housing and demographic trends across the U.S.

Fair use and redistribution

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