January 9, 2009 – Gadberry Group today announced its list of this year's eight most notable high-growth areas in the U.S. – Gadberry Group's 8 from 2008.
Gadberry Group's 8 from 2008
- Queen Creek, AZ (Phoenix suburb)
- Enterprise, NV (Las Vegas suburb)
- Helotes, TX (San Antonio suburb)
- Wesley Chapel, FL (Tampa suburb)
- Indian Trail, NC (Charlotte suburb)
- Castle Rock, CO (Denver suburb)
- Elk Grove, CA (Sacramento suburb)
- New Orleans, LA
Like last year, the firm employed a statistical ranking system in their evaluation of the 17,000 Census Places, using Gadberry data products. The selection criteria and ranking methodology included variables such as percent change, absolute change and the presence of emerging Census blocks (blocks with less than 10 households in Census 2000 and more than 100 households in 2008). The analysis considered the total growth from 2000 to 2008 as well as the amount of the total growth that occurred from 2007 to 2008. Gadberry also weighted the analysis using key demographic variables such as ethnicity, household income, net worth, economic stability, length of residence and age.
Taking the number one spot in this year’s list was Queen Creek, Arizona. “Queen Creek’s consistent, sustained growth is amazing,” said Martin. “When we ran the numbers we saw that the Queen Creek area added an unbelievable average of seven occupied households every day since January 1, 2000. This is truly some of the most remarkable growth we’ve ever seen.”
Also worth mentioning is the fact that six alumni from the 7 from 2007 list continued to show strong growth in 2008, ranking among the top 25. They were Goodyear, AZ, Frisco, TX, Wentzville, MO, Brighton, CO, North Port, FL, and Plainfield, IL.
By the Numbers – 8 from 2008
Queen Creek, Arizona
“Queen Creek has been a high profile growth area for years so we weren’t surprised to see it take the top spot this year,” said Martin. Like many other places in the southwest, the Queen Creek area continues to experience tremendous growth, expanding from 4,011 households in 2000 to 28,439 in 2008, or an increase of 609%. Queen Creek had 20 emerging census blocks, providing strong evidence for the growth in the area.
Hispanic households increased from 814 to 5,104, or 527%. Average length of residence was 2.8 years and average household income grew from $61,492 to $69,496.
On balance, it is important to also note that Queen Creek, like other places across the U.S., has suffered from the downturn in the housing market. Queen Creek ranked top in the 8 from 2008 list for highest percentage of bank owned foreclosure properties.
To read the full report visit: http://www.gadberry.net/GG%208from2008.cfm