Dreamy mountain towns like Leavenworth in Washington, Alpine in Wyoming, and Elizabeth in Colorado have always been among the top places for those who love the outdoors. Now, more and more folks are planning to go and never turn back.
The cost of living, moving closer family, and seeking a slower pace of life are top reasons people move to the more rural parts of the country. From idyllic mountain towns to high-desert hubs, we’ve narrowed down the ten outdoorsy towns with the fastest-growing populations.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington, is a world-renown Christmas village with a population that just broke 3,000 residents, and is booming with new growth. Located in Chelan County, this cozy mountain town is growing at a rate of 4.71 percent each year, and has seen a nearly 30 percent increase since the most recent census was taken in 2020.
Many view Leavenworth as a retirement town, but the median age of its residents is just 42 years old. It’s an outdoors-person’s dream spot with close proximity to white water rafting, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, and so much more.
Must see: Visit Washington State’s first ever alpine coaster in Leavenworth Adventure Park. The Tumwater Twister has 2,700 feet of track cascading over incredible views. And the Alpine Ascent climbing wall is nearby.
Why are people moving to Leavenworth? For its natural beauty and quiet setting.
If you’re considering Leavenworth as a place to grow roots, the city provides relocation information you’ll find helpful.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
I’ve spent many mornings with my feet wading in Coeur d’Alene Lake looking up at the surrounding mountains.
The projected population of Coeur d’Alene by the end of 2025 could be just over 57,955 residents. The metro area saw 4.1 percent growth between July 2020 and July 2021, and the city of Coeur d’Alene itself saw a 4.1 percent increase between April 2020 and July 2023.
Coeur d’Alene is a gold mine for adventurers, with incredible kayaking opportunities, too many hiking trails to count, and of course, plenty of water for water sports.
Must see: Located in downtown Coeur d’Alene on the lake is Tubbs Hill, 165 acres of publicly owned land that features breathtaking trails like Tubbs Hill Loop, rated beginner-friendly on Trailforks.
Why are people moving to Coeur d’Alene? Though an expensive place to live, people are still flocking there from cities like Seattle and Portland because it’s more affordable than the city and only five to six hours of drive time from each. With plenty of leisure activities, big lake energy, and low crime, Coeur d’Alene is a remote worker’s dream.
If you’re considering Coeur d’Alene as your place to settle down, the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber provides some insight to consider.
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana, has a current population of 2,803 residents and is growing at a rate of 4.82 percent annually. The breathtaking mountain town, located in Flathead County, has grown by about 30 percent since 2020’s consensus.
The median age in Kalispell is just 35 years old no hyphens here. The pace of life there is highly sought after, and attracts horse-lovers and nature enthusiasts alike with its ample opportunities for trail riding, as well as skiing and hiking.
Must see: Of course, Glacier National Park, which contains 200 waterfalls, 700 lakes, and 700 miles of trails, is located 32 miles from town. Check out Outside’s ultimate guide to visiting.
Why are people moving to Kalispell? Kalispell is growing because of its invitation for quieter living, outdoor recreation, and growth opportunities in business or farming.
If you’re considering a move to Kalispell, the city has some info.
Alpine, Wyoming
The incredible town of Alpine in Wyoming, located on the southern end of Snake River Canyon, has a small, but mighty population of about 1,392 residents, and is growing at a rate of 2.35 percent each year. Its population has jumped 13.08 percent since the last consensus in 2020 and isn’t expected to slow down.
The median age in Alpine is just 33-years-old, pointing to the still growing trend of remote work and quiet living. There is plenty to do outdoors, like boating, kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, skiing, and more.
Must see: A whitewater rafting adventure on the Snake River. There are many ways to pursue this. Book a guided tour from an outfitter like Mad River in Jackson Hole or grab the necessary permits and gear to take yourself.
Why are people moving to Alpine? It’s tight-knit community that boasts low crime and outdoor recreation.
For more information on relocating to the beautiful town of Alpine, check out the city’s website.
Sundance, Utah
Have you heard of Sundance, Utah? Probably not. It’s not where the famous Sundance Film Festival is held, though it is close by. Sundance is a tiny, tiny town of just 56 people located in Utah County with a current growth rate of 7.27 percent.
This hidden gem is a resort town in every sense of the term. The median age of its permanent residents is 60 years old, making it a great place to retire.
Sundance is surrounded by Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, with a 360-degree view in every season, making it the perfect place to nestle in. People travel in to hike, mountain bike, and zipline, but the Sundance Mountain Resort is the biggest attraction in the town, with unreal skiing and snowboarding opportunities available.
Must see: If you really want to take in the views, book a zip tour at Sundance Mountain Resort. With over 2,100 feet of vertical drop, it’s the most vertical descent of any zip line tour in the U.S., per its website.
Why are people moving to Sundance? To retire, and for privacy and seclusion, since real estate is exclusive.
Mesquite, Nevada
Mesquite, Nevada, located in Clark County, has a population of 24,346 residents, and is growing at a rate of 3.17 percent each year. Its population has increased by 18.14 percent since the most recent census, with its median age being 62 years old.
Mesquite is attractive for those who love to explore national parks (Valley of Fire and Zion are close by), golf, and hike and bike.
Must see: Explore Valley of Fire State Park near Mesquite, world renown for its 40,000 acres of stunning red rock formations and epic hiking trails.
Why are people moving to Mesquite? A lower cost of living, no state income tax, and a warm and sunny climate make Mesquite the perfect place to settle.
For more information on relocating to Mesquite, visit the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce website.
Paradise, California
Paradise, California, located in Butte County, has a population of about 10,000 residents and is growing at a rate of 11.04 percent annually. The town has seen a 98.86 percent increase since 2020, with the median age of its residents landing at 60 years old.
The deadly Camp Fire that blazed through Paradise in 2018 and 153,000 acres of land was the worst in the history of the state of California. Paradise is still rebuilding after most of its land was lost, yet the spirit of the small California town continues to attract new residents.
Paradise is known for its mountain biking. Noble Orchards and the Butte Creek Watershed Overlook are within city limits. Lake Oroville is about 31 miles out of town, and Bidwell Park about 15 miles out.
Must see: When in Paradise, stop by Billy Park, which offers adventurers rope courses, mountain biking trails, and so much more. Pop over on your lunch break to take in the views of Butte Creek Canyon.
Why are people moving to Paradise? The growth in Paradise is partly the return of those who lost homes in the fire and want to rebuild, but also those drawn to the lower cost of living compared to other areas of California.
Elizabeth, Colorado
Elizabeth, Colorado, is tiny town in Elbert County with a population of 3,036 people and a growth rate of 9.48 percent annually. Its population has grown 76.61 percent since 2020, when it was a town of just 1,719 residents.
The median age in Elizabeth is only 32 years old. It’s a place reported to draw in millennials. For the outdoorsy person, this beautiful mountain town is ideal for hiking and horseback riding, with a close proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Must see: Those in Elizabeth frequent Castlewood Canyon State Park, which features 2,628 acres of the unique Black Forest with hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching.
Why are people moving to Elizabeth? It’s close to Denver, quiet, with a rural feel and highly rated schools.
Show Low, Arizona
Show Low in the mountain state of Arizona has a population of 12,516 residents and is growing at a rate of 1.21 percent annually. Its population has bumped up 6.38 percent since the last consensus in 2020.
Show Low is located in Navajo County and has a median age of 44 years old. It is located on the Mogollon Rim, which has an elevation of 6,345 feet.
The top outdoor things to do in this town are: hiking the iconic Show Low Bluff Trail, boating and fishing around Fool Hollow Lake, and exploring the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
Must see: Near Show Low is the White Mountain Trail System, with more than enough hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding tracks available. White Mountain Trails wrap around numerous lakes and aren’t too far from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
Why are people moving to Show Low? Its lower cost of living and recreational appeal.
Barton, New Mexico
Barton, New Mexico, is a Census Designated Place in Bernalillo County, meaning it’s not a legally defined municipality with its own local government, but is populated enough to be its own community. Barton is located in eastern Bernalillo County and on the southwest corner of Santa Fe County.
The town has a population of 1,923 residents and is growing at a rate of 7.19 percent each year. It’s grown 32.53 percent since 2020. The median age is 48.
Close to Barton are the following attractions: White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks, the New Mexico Museum of Space History, and Sugarite Canyon State Park.
Must see: The closest attraction to Burton is the nearby Burro Mountain Homestead, known for its ATV, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails dipping into the Gila National Forest.
Why are people moving to Barton? A lower cost of living with the benefits of being in close proximity to New Mexico’s larger cities.
The post The Fastest Growing Mountain Towns in America appeared first on Outside Online.
