Native Houstonians might soon be as rare as snowfall on Christmas morning (you know, in Texas).
Forbes reports that Houston is once again one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, ranked No. 4 in the magazine's list, a ranking that takes into account projections of economic and population growth from Moody’s as well as median income, unemployment rates and employment growth to distinguish between real growth and a rebounding economy.
Forbes credits Houston's "proximity to booming Latin America economies and cheap real estate promise" for the massive growth that has seen the metropolitan population climb 65 percent since 1990 to a current 6.3 million residents. According to Moody’s, Houston will add another 484,000 to the population by 2016, with expected economic growth of 4.6 percent in the same time period driven by energy and health care.
Beyond Houston, Texas cities dominated the top of the list. Austin claimed the top spot, with a projected population growth of 2.8 percent through 2016, more than triple the national rate. Austin's growth is helped by its status as a state capital and the home of the University of Texas. It drew an unbelievable 35 corporate relocations in 2011
Dallas took second place, buoyed by a projected economic growth rate of almost five percent. San Antonio rounded out a quartet of Texas cities in the top 10 by snagging the No. 9 ranking.
