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    hip to be square

    Houston snubbed on ridiculous list of America's coolest cities

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 30, 2025 | 3:52 pm
    Houston skyline

    Apparently Houston isn't as cool as Dallas or Austin.

    Photo by Leo Yao on Unsplash

    A new study ranking the coolest cities in America has revealed Houston was entirely snubbed on the list, while two other Texas cities made the cut.

    The survey by British gambling company Betway.com ranked 50 most populated cities across the U.S. and Canada, ranking them on factors associated with "being cool."

    Though Houston was nowhere to be found, Austin faded into the background by landing in the No. 11 spot. Dallas came in at No. 14 on the list — not even the top 10, but nonetheless one of only two cities in Texas to make the list at all.

    Boston, Massachusetts claimed the title as the coolest city in America, followed by Las Vegas, Nevada (No. 2), and Portland, Oregon (No. 3).

    The rankings were determined based on seven "coolness" factors including the median age of residents, the number of tattoo parlors, record stores, upcoming music events, street art murals, and vegan/vegetarian restaurants each city has.

    The report specifically called out the two Texas cities' "energy and culture" and gave nods to their respective culinary scenes.

    "What makes a city cool often goes beyond its reputation or famous landmarks – it’s the unique blend of culture that provides the energy," the report's author wrote. "From thriving music scenes and vibrant street art to foodie hotspots and inclusive, laid-back vibes, the coolest cities offer something authentic, exciting, and effortlessly memorable."

    In defense of H-Town
    Channeling CultureMap's late columnist Ken Hoffman, who has criticized similar studies in the past: There is so much that makes Houston cool that this silly study doesn't appear to take into account.

    This city treasures its numerous music and cultural icons, and we aren't just talking about Beyoncé. Houston's top-tier universities are shining beacons in the education field, and its nearby suburbs are among the best places to live in the nation.

    Houston's food scene is unmatched with several new bars and restaurants opening up all over the city, offering affordable lunch specials, trendy meals, and cocktails galore.

    Plus, the city's fashionistas are pioneering sustainable clothing swaps to keep perfectly good pieces out of landfills and promote slow fashion practices. And don't even get us started on the city's colorful and thought provoking art scene. It's not like Boston has a Meow Wolf or a citywide event like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. If that's not cool, we don't know what is.

    The top 15 coolest American cities are:

    • No. 1 – Boston, Massachusetts
    • No. 2 – Las Vegas, Nevada
    • No. 3 – Portland, Oregon
    • No. 4 – San Francisco, California
    • No. 5 – Seattle, Washington
    • No. 6 – Denver, Colorado
    • No. 7 – Nashville, Tennessee
    • No. 8 – Washington, D.C.
    • No. 9 – Detroit, Michigan
    • No. 10 – Los Angeles, California
    • No. 11 – Austin, Texas
    • No. 12 – San Diego, California
    • No. 13 – Phoenix, Arizona
    • No. 14 – Dallas, Texas
    • No. 15 – Columbus, Ohio
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    suburb news

    Bustling Houston suburb declared one of America's 10 newest boomtowns

    Amber Heckler
    Jun 4, 2026 | 9:00 am
    Conroe, Texas
    Photo courtesy of Visit Houston
    Conroe is a really desirable place to live for renters.

    What do you get when you combine a city's surge in population, housing growth, and economy? For a place like Conroe, it all adds up to being named America's No. 9 newest boomtown, according to a new survey from SmartAsset.

    The personal finance website's just-released report analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities with populations of 65,000 or more to identify places experiencing rapid growth based on five-year changes in economic output, housing units, and labor force size.

    Texas is home to the second-highest concentration of new boomtowns in America with 18 out of 75 located in the Lone Star State. Only Florida ranks higher than Texas by just one.

    However, Texas nearly locked out the top five most bustling boomtowns in America. Austin suburb Georgetown topped the list, and its Central Texas neighbors New Braunfels (No. 2) and Leander (No. 4) ranked close behind. Dallas-Fort Worth mid-city Lewisville claimed the No. 5 spot. Lehi, Utah ranked in third place.

    Conroe has soared in popularity as one of America's most sought-after suburbs over the last several years, boosted by its renter-friendliness and its livability among the millennial generation.

    Conroe has seen a 37 percent increase in housing units from 2019 to 2024, with its labor force growing by 33 percent during that time. SmartAsset also determined that Montgomery County's economic output grew at compound annual rates of 4.9 percent.

    The report says population booms and "expanding business activity" can create "visible momentum" for an up-and-coming city, but these fast changes can alter a city in ways residents may not expect.

    "In recent years, some American cities stand out for attracting people, investment and development at a pace that sets them apart," the report said. "Boomtown status does not mean growth benefits everyone equally, but it does reflect a city’s expanding economic capacity and the new opportunities that come with it."

    America's top 10 new boomtowns are:

    • No. 1 – Georgetown
    • No. 2 – New Braunfels
    • No. 3 – Lehi, Utah
    • No. 4 – Leander
    • No. 5 – Lewisville
    • No. 6 – Palm Coast, Florida
    • No. 7 – Nampa, Idaho
    • No. 8 – McKinney
    • No. 9 – Conroe
    • No. 10 – Frisco
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