This Affordable Southern Town Is The Fastest-Growing Suburb In America
As more Americans are leaving cities for slower lives in the suburbs, one Southern spot is gaining newcomers with particular speed.
According to a new report from GOBankingRates, the fastest-growing suburb in America is a formerly sleepy northern Virginia town located just 20 miles outside of Washington, D.C.
With an astronomical population increase of 887%, Woodbridge, Virginia, didn't just top the list of the country's fastest-growing burbs—it dominated it. The Prince William County town's population jumped from roughly 4,000 residents to 43,000 between 2018 and 2023, per the report.
For context, the next suburb on the list, Fulshear, Texas, saw a population increase of 236.7% during the same period. Is there something in the water in Woodbridge? Gold deposits? GOBankingRates researcher CJ Williamson says the reasons people are flocking there are actually quite practical.
"There are a multitude of reasons for this population boom, but among them is the fact that many DC-area residents left the city during the pandemic in search of less-populated, nearby suburbs, such as Woodbridge," Williamson told Southern Living. "Our data also shows Woodbridge has a relatively strong livability score (71 out of 100) and a relatively affordable home median price for the DC area, at roughly $500,000 as of February 2025, which may also explain its growing popularity."
Situated on a peninsula along the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers, Woodbridge offers a scenic respite from the city without sacrificing easy access. It's conveniently located on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Interstate 95, the region's main artery. When traffic behaves itself, Woodbridge is a 30-minute drive from the nation's capital. It's also home to Potomac Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the area.
Related: This Idyllic Southern Neighborhood Was Just Named The Best Place To Live In The U.S.
Read the original article on Southern Living
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