Colorado Springs Is the Nation’s Fastest-Growing City for Millennials

Millennials are flocking to Colorado Springs at a higher rate than any other U.S. city, according to a report that was just released by the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program.

Colorado Springs saw a 14.7 percent millennial growth rate from 2010 to 2015, leading all other cities in the nation, including hotspots like Denver, Austin, Houston and Seattle. Colorado Springs also ranks sixth in the country for highest share of millennials overall, at 26.4 percent. The statistics are presented in Brookings’ report, “The Millennial Generation: A Demographic Bridge to America’s Diverse Future.” In this report, millennials are defined as people born between 1981 and 1997—a group that now makes up a quarter of the country’s population, and 30 percent of the voting age population.

This #1 ranking for Colorado Springs is further proof of recent positive press the city has received regarding its young population. In a recent article titled “Forget Denver. Colorado Springs Hipsters Should Head Here Instead,” OZY highlighted Colorado Springs’ young median age (34) and top-notch cultural amenities that millennials enjoy. OZY also recognizes one of the key aspects of Colorado Springs’ charm: having a feeling of “familiarity” even in a sizable city.

Last year, Colorado Springs was ranked the #3 best large metro for first-time homebuyers, many of whom are millennials. The city is home to the nation’s #9 best downtown area, boasts a low unemployment rate of just 3.3 percent, and is considered one of the nation’s best cities for business and careers by Forbes. Tack on our city’s unique culture, affordable cost of living, and beautiful mountain landscape, and it’s no surprise that so many skilled young professionals are choosing to call Colorado Springs home!

Recent population forecasts showed that Colorado Springs is poised to overtake Denver as the largest city in Colorado by 2050—will millennials be leading the charge?