Latest news with #Escobar
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A Dallas Suburb, Princeton, Has Been Crowned 'America's Fastest Growing City.' Here's What's Behind Its Breakneck Expansion
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. The saying that everything is bigger in Texas holds true for Dallas suburb, Princeton, whose population has jumped by nearly a third, making it the fastest-growing city in the U.S. Located about 46 miles from Dallas, Princeton has seen its population jump from about 28,000 to 37,000 between 2023 and 2024, according to the Census Bureau. It's part of a broader trend that has seen Princeton's population double since 2020, so much so that roads and infrastructure have barely been able to keep up, the Associated Press reports. Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – Although the population growth has brought jobs, a new Walmart, it has also brought teething problems. Traffic has increased, and the water supply is strained, KDFW-TV reports. Last year, Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. and the City Council issued a pause on construction to better plan and account for its rapid growth. The pause has since been extended. According to the Census Bureau, seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are in North Texas, including Anna and Celine. Nearby Fort Worth, which crossed the 1 million mark, has replaced Austin as the fourth-largest city in Texas. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — According to Census data, cities of all sizes grew from 2023 to 2024, with New York City, Houston, and Los Angeles enjoying the greatest numerical gains. However, the North Dallas suburbs have enjoyed a concentrated period of growth due to the major companies being based in the area, according to the AP. Another factor is affordability. According to Zillow, median home values were $325,683, far lower than those in surrounding areas. 'It's affordability,' Escobar told the Texas Tribune. 'That's really the driving factor.' He told the Associated Press: 'It's still cheaper to commute and live in Princeton than maybe live closer to work.' According to the Census data, Princeton added twice as many homes between 2020 and 2023 as in the entire preceding decade. The intended pause on the house will only be temporary; Escobar told the Tribune that many new home listings cost as little as $200,000 and that 10,000 new houses are in the city officials are wrangling with how to maintain the small-town feel of a city far from a small town, according to the Tribune. Rather, it is now a bedroom community with many residents commuting daily for work. Major national retailers like Walmart and chain restaurants have set up shop. Amid all the growth, city planners are keen to maintain a quality of life and nurture the city's development. The Tribune says they have done this in part by using a $109 million bond program to improve the city's parks. 'We have the ability to dictate what future generations are going to enjoy in Princeton and frame that identity today,' City Manager Michael Mashburn told the Tribune. Read Next: , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Image: Shutterstock Send To MSN: 0 This article A Dallas Suburb, Princeton, Has Been Crowned 'America's Fastest Growing City.' Here's What's Behind Its Breakneck Expansion originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
This is the fastest-growing town in the US — and it's affordable
What was once a quiet, rural outpost in Texas is now one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation—and it's struggling to keep up with the influx of residents. In just a year, Princeton, TX, about 40 miles from Dallas, has seen its population skyrocket, sparking a construction boom and pushing local leaders into overdrive to manage the rapid pace of growth. Advertisement 'While Texas cities have been leading in population growth, Princeton's rapid ascent to the top spot was mostly unexpected,' the town's mayor, Eugene Escobar, tells Princeton's population grew 30.6% from July 2023 to July 2024, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes it the fastest-growing town in the nation with a population under 37,000. 7 The population of Princeton, Texas, has skyrocketed, sparking a construction boom. AP To put that growth in perspective, in 2020, the town had only 17,000 residents. In 2013, the area had only two traffic lights, Escobar adds. Location makes Princeton a magnet Advertisement For new residents, Princeton's location adds to its appeal. 'Fast-growing Princeton offers buyers ample for-sale home options at a lower price tag than the nearby North Dallas suburbs and Dallas itself,' says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at 'Buyers hoping to be on the north side of the Dallas metro can take advantage of low home prices in Princeton, without sacrificing access to the amenities and job opportunities in the ever-expanding greater Plano area.' 7 This 1,500-square-foot, four-bedroom home in Princeton, Texas, is listed for $255,000. Advertisement With a median home list price of $337,000, Princeton is more affordable than the nearest large metro of Dallas ($437,000), but it also hits a lower price point than the neighboring towns of Allen ($549,700), McKinney ($550,000), Plano ($556,000), and Frisco ($727,000). Most homes for sale (96.1%) are single-family. There were 330 homes for sale in Princeton in April, up 72.9% year over year, and up from just 88 homes for sale in April 2019. Many of the listings are new construction with builders such as KB Home, DR Horton, and Starlight Homes (a subsidiary of Aston Woods) all creating new developments in recent years. 7 Construction workers lay fiber optic cable in Princeton, Texas. AP Advertisement Escobar credits the popularity of Princeton to its relative affordability, combined with its proximity to bigger cities with better job opportunities; nearby Lavon Lake, where many come to vacation; high-quality schools; and the area's 'small-town feel despite its growth.' The mayor says those moving in are mostly well-off, younger professionals. The city has a median household income of approximately $90,809, with a median age of 33.2 years—'indicating a youthful and economically active population.' 'Princeton is drawing a wide range of buyers,' Dallas-based Harrison Polsky, of Douglas Elliman, tells 'From young families priced out of Dallas' urban core to professionals seeking a lower cost of living without sacrificing access to job markets. We're also seeing buyers coming in from California, Illinois, and parts of the East Coast—markets where affordability and taxes have become pain points.' 7 The town mayor, Eugene Escobar, says one of the reasons for Princeton's popularity is its relative affordability combined with its proximity to bigger cities with better job opportunities. AP KB Home is one of many builders that have descended upon the once-sleepy town. It opened its 10-plan Princeton Estates there in 2024 and homes are still being built on site. 'Princeton is quickly emerging as one of the most desirable areas in Collin County, thanks to its highly rated schools, access to new jobs, and family-friendly atmosphere,' Marcia Dillon, president of KB Home's Dallas Division, tells Local real estate agent Jennifer Vokolek, of Re/Max DFW Associates, notes other reasons for the area's growth spurt: USDA financing (rural development); access to the new 402-acre EPIC Muslim community in unincorporated Collin and Hunt counties (which Gov. Greg Abbott opposes); and the large amount of new construction that can offer pricing incentives that older homes can't compete with. 7 According to local real estate agent Jennifer Vokolek, the large amount of new construction can offer pricing incentives. AP Advertisement In fact, so many builders—and new residents—fell in love with Princeton that last year the town put a pause on new residential development to give time for infrastructure to catch up. 'The city is working on updating water and wastewater plans, improving road conditions, increasing public safety, and addressing development standards,' said the mayor's office of the construction pause (which does not affect commercial building). It also raised a $109 million bond program to benefit the city's parks. Despite the pause on new-home construction, the mayor noted that about 10,000 houses are in the pipeline. 7 Construction workers build apartments in Princeton, Texas, on May 16. AP Is a slowdown coming? Advertisement Still, there are signs things are slowing. The April 2025 median home list price was down 6.2% year over year, and houses are lingering longer on the market: 45 days, a 44% increase over last year. For example, a brand-new four-bedroom, 2.5-bath house (96% of listings are single-family) in the Princeton Estates built by KB Home has had its price slashed four times since February, from $387,259 to $357,444. (All four of the active Princeton Estates listings have seen price cuts.) Vokolek says the residential building moratorium pushed homebuyers into nearby towns Anna, Celina, and Melissa. It's all of Texas Advertisement Princeton isn't the only Texas town to see incredible growth. Other towns in the top 15 include Fulshear (26.9% increase in population); Celina (18.2%); Anna (14.6%); Fate (11.4%); Melissa (10%); and Hutto (9.4%). It's not only rural areas that saw growth. Big cities such as Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Georgetown, and San Angelo also saw high population increases. In fact, almost all Texas cities with populations of 20,000 or more saw population increases from 2023 to 2024. 7 This four-bedroom home in Princeton, Texas, is listed for $355,000. Only nine areas in the Lone Star State lost residents, and the loss was less than 0.3% of their population. Other metros with population surges Advertisement But it's not just cities in Texas experiencing a growth spurt. The Census Bureau lists plenty of other cities that saw significant growth in one year. Urban cores that had residents fleeing at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic are now seeing a reversal: New York City again tops the list of major cities adding residents, an increase of 87,184 from 2023 to 2024. Rounding out the top five gainers were: Houston (43,217), Los Angeles (31,276), San Antonio (23,945), and Fort Worth (23,442). Florida and Texas continue their major gains that started with the pandemic. Seven cities crossed the 100,000-population threshold, with five of them in those two states: Deltona, FL (population 100,513); Plantation, FL (100,694); Sunrise, FL (100,128); Georgetown, TX (101,344); and San Angelo, TX (100,159). Two others are in the West: Tracy, CA (100,136), and Federal Way, WA (100,252).
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The fastest-growing city in the U.S. is in Texas, and it's not the one you're thinking of
PRINCETON — At the start of the decade, fewer than 18,000 people called Princeton, a mostly rural town about an hour northeast of Dallas, home. But as hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the Dallas-Fort Worth region in the years since, Princeton's population more than doubled. Just over 37,000 people lived in Princeton as of July 1, 2024, estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show. Last year, it grew by 30 percent alone, making it the fastest-growing city or town in the country. Though Texas' population growth has slowed, many parts of the state are still booming, and setting the pace for the rest of the U.S. Of the 15 fastest growing cities and towns in the country, seven are in Texas — Princeton, Fulshear, Celina, Anna, Fate, Melissa and Hutto. The state's growth is not concentrated in historically smaller, rural towns. Several of Texas' most populated cities are getting bigger too. Houston, the state's most populous city, added 43,217 residents — bringing the total population to nearly 2.4 million. New York City is the only city in the country that saw a bigger population increase than Houston. San Antonio, Texas' second-largest city at 1.5 million, added nearly 24,000 residents. Georgetown and San Angelo were among seven cities that now have more than 100,000 residents. In a further sign of Dallas-Fort Worth's transformation into a mega region, Fort Worth's population surpassed 1 million people in 2024, making the region the only urban area in the country with two cities with more than 1 million residents. Dallas saw only a slight uptick, with 1.3 million people calling it home. That means just 318,000 people separate the two. Five of the country's fastest-growing cities and towns, including Princeton, are in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. To Princeton Mayor Eugene Escobar, the reason why so many people moved there is simple: It's cheaper to buy a home there than in neighboring cities and suburbs. The typical home in Princeton is valued at around $325,000, according to Zillow — compared with more than $500,000 in nearby McKinney or $685,000 in Frisco. Escobar purchased his home in 2017 for $240,000. 'It's affordability,' Escobar said. 'That's really the driving factor.' With growth comes change. When Escobar moved here in 2013, there were two stoplights, he said. He could drive to neighboring McKinney in five minutes. Farmland abutted his backyard. Now, it takes about 20 minutes to get to McKinney. And homes sit behind Escobar's house. 'Nobody expected this to be Princeton,' Escobar said. The number of rooftops has grown. Princeton added twice as many homes between 2020 and 2023 as it did in the entire previous decade, Census data show. Sprawling single-family subdivisions, apartment buildings and townhomes have sprouted. Signs off of U.S. 380, the main road through town, advertise newly built homes starting at $200,000. Some 10,000 homes are in the pipeline, Escobar said. For Princeton officials, homes have gone up too quickly for the city's infrastructure to keep up. Last year, the City Council issued a pause on new residential construction to avoid putting further strain on water and sewage infrastructure as well as fire and police protection. Escobar said the council will likely revisit the moratorium over the summer and doesn't expect the moratorium to last much longer. City officials are planning for Princeton's future growth while trying to maintain its small-town vibes. Now, it's a bedroom community with many residents commuting to McKinney and Frisco to work and shop. Major retailers like Walmart as well as chain restaurants have opened locations in Princeton, but the city could use more shopping and eating options, officials said. Princeton leaders have also focused on improving public amenities, including a $109 million bond program to beef up the city's parks. While other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region get increasingly built out, Princeton officials still see the city as a blank slate. 'We have the ability to dictate what future generations are going to enjoy in Princeton and frame that identity today,' City Manager Michael Mashburn said. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dayton finalizing construction in downtown ahead of NATO
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Dayton is almost ready to host delegates for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, but the city still has some items to check off its list before that happens. Some residents may question why Dayton has been hard at work on recent construction projects. Officials say a lot of the construction was already on the calendar, but with a big week ahead, priorities were rearranged to get it done faster. 'A lot of the beautification stuff that we've done was already planned work,' said David Escobar, Dayton city engineer. 'We just sped it up.' LIST: What is closing in Dayton during the NATO Assembly? A lot of the work is focused on the downtown area, including updating lighting, streets and landscaping. 'The lighting, the street trees and landscaping and concrete work,' said Escobar. 'We've painted poles, we've done some patching, some pressure washing, just some cleanup stuff to kind of beautify some things.' That downtown area also happens to be where the NATO Village will be. Security will be stricter during the summit to ensure safety of the international visitors. With the influx of people, city leaders have also added antennas for increased cell coverage. Everything the city is doing now, had to be done, all in preparation for the world stage. 'Make sure we've got everything done and buttoned up,' said Escobar. 'And we know that it's working and functional so that it can be cleaned, swept and ready to roll for the conference.' NATO is coming to Dayton, here's what to know The construction work isn't just to make the city look nice for international visitors — Escobar says the improvements are truly meant for residents to enjoy for years to come. 'It's infrastructure that will be in place for many years,' said David Escobar, Dayton city engineer. A walkthrough is planned for this Friday. Officials say all construction should be clear by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. NATO delegates arrive next week for the Parliamentary Assembly happening May 22-26. Click here to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Review Geek
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
10 Best TV Shows Like ‘Mobland'
Shows Like Mobland MobLand is the latest Guy Ritchie crime thriller and it's quite the firecracker! Set deep in the heart of London, power is up for grabs as two rival families – the Harrigans and Stevensons – clash in a kill-or-be-killed battle that threatens to topple empires and ruin lives. If you've watched this already and are itching for more, we've combed through the archives to find you some alternatives. To keep things simple for skim-readers we've added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we've reviewed, we've also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it's something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you've finished streaming Mobland. Peaky Blinders Similarities – Gangs & Action Raw, dramatic and surprisingly realistic, if you're looking for some crime action set in 1920's England, Peaky Blinders is just what the doctor ordered. This BBC drama revolves around a family determined to make it to the top of the criminal underworld. At the heart of this is Tommy Shelby, who – along with brother Arthur and Aunt Polly, find themselves tackling an array of problems both internal and external. Peaky Blinders really excels in its grimy, dark depiction of Birmingham. There's plenty of twists and turns along the way too and with 6 seasons to get through, there's certainly enough here to whet the appetite. You can read our thoughts on Peaky Blinders in our full season reviews here! Boardwalk Empire Similarities – Gangs Excellent acting and a lavish production combine to make Boardwalk Empire a very strong choice for period and crime drama lovers. The story essentially revolves around an Atlantic City politician who plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters. Set during the Prohibition era, this moody, gritty drama perfectly captures the 1920's time period. With five seasons to get through and lots of twists and turns along the way, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better depiction of mobsters than this gem of a show. Narcos Similarities – Style, Tone & Characters It's perhaps unsurprising to find Narcos on this list given Narcos dives deep into the drug trade and follows the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. This series plays out like a cat and mouse chase, with the DEA and federal agents working hard to try and track down and stop Escobar from growing his business. As the seasons tick by, the attention does turn slightly away from Escobar toward other criminals, especially in season 3. Still, for the most part this series packs one heck of a punch, making it a must-watch. Top Boy Similarities – Action & Story On the surface, Top Boy is a very straight forward story about two drug dealers trying to navigate the murky underbelly of London. When you dive a little deeper however, Top Boy also presents a fascinating social commentary about the seductiveness of the drug trade. Top Boy also weaves that around issues plaguing Britain's youth, doing so with a very gritty, in-your-face style. After 3 seasons, Netflix then snatched up the rights to this one, changing the format slightly while remaining just as engaging and intriguing – and more importantly seeing this through to a shocking and finite conclusion. You can read our thoughts on Top Boy in our full season reviews here! Banshee Similarities – Antony Starr & Violence Banshee is a show that completely catches you off-guard. With a great storyline and an inspired Antony Starr in the driving seat, Banshee is an underrated gem that's well worth checking out. The story revolves around an ex-con assuming the identity of a murdered sheriff but as the narrative progresses, so too does the main premise of the show. I won't spoil anything here but suffice to say if you're after a violent, action-packed show, Banshee should keep you busy for a while. Gangs of London Similarities – Fighting Over Territory Gangs Of London is a thoroughly enjoyable crime epic and one that does a great job blending graphic violence and big action set pieces with an interesting story surrounding a power struggle in London. The story centers on a man named Finn Wallace, the crime boss overseeing affairs in London who's shot dead by two nobodies. With no-one at the top, a wrestle for power ensues between rival gangs. While the plot does lose its way during the second half and a couple of the characters don't get a great send-off, there's enough to like about this one to make it well worth a watch, flaws and all. Taboo Similarities – Main Character & Period Drama You can't really go wrong with a Tom Hardy period piece and that much is especially true here with Taboo. This 1800's series revolves around adventurer James Keziah Delaney. He returns to London during the War of 1812 to rebuild his late father's shipping empire. However, both the government and his biggest competitor want his inheritance at any cost – even murder. What ensues from here is a surprising, twisty-turny thriller with great characterisation, lots of memorable moments and plenty to whet the appetite. This one's an easy recommendation. Warrior Similarities – Gang Warfare & Action Cinemax's action thriller, Warrior, is very good. Although it's bound to draw some comparisons to shows like Peaky Blinders for its gang-centric storyline, Warrior marches to the beat of its own drum and is all the stronger for it. With the Hop Wei and Long Zii gangs on the brink of war, the story here picks up with Ah Sahm arriving on the shores of San Francisco, determined to find his sister Mai Ling. Unbeknownst to him, she's mixed up with the Long Zii gang, while Ah Sahm himself is recruited to the Hop Wei following some impressive fighting at the dock. Combining well-choreographed fights, political scheming and a volatile 1870's San Francisco setting, Warrior does well to keep things interesting and unpredictable throughout its run-time. The Wire Similarities – Gang Warfare & Drugs The Wire is an absolute must-watch and one of the best series out there when it comes to depicting drug warfare and gangs. Here, we're taken deep into the gritty streets of Baltimore, where the drug game is strong, and everyone's trying to come out on top. At the center of this are the cops, drug dealers, and regular people navigating life in the city. There isn't a main character per-se, as the show basically depicts Baltimore as the protagonist and lets its characters run wild, but that's partly what makes this series so endearing. Well-written, gritty and chock full of memorable moments, The Wire is compulsory watching. The Gentlemen Similarities – Gang Warfare & Drugs When it comes to entertainment excellence, Netflix's Guy Ritchie series, The Gentlemen, ticks all the boxes. This show serves as a spiritual homage to the 2019 film sporting the same name, but there's enough to whet the appetite even if you haven't seen that movie. The show centers on aristocratic Eddie who returns home after inheriting the family estate to discover that it's home to a huge weed empire. Even worse? Its proprietors aren't going anywhere. What follows from here is a crazy, rip-roaring series that combines action, drama and thrills together into a heady cocktail of hedonistic goodness. This one's another easy recommendation. So there we have it, our 10 TV shows alternatives to watch when you're finished watching Mobland! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
