Wildwood, Florida, October 27, 2025
News Summary
Wildwood, Florida, has been ranked as the fastest-growing city in the United States with a net migration rate of nearly 20%. This trend is largely attributed to its appeal as a retirement haven, featuring golf courses, themed restaurants, and a vibrant community. The city’s convenient location near major attractions and its warm climate further attract new residents, especially retirees and remote workers seeking a better quality of life. Florida’s overall population growth reflects a significant trend of people relocating for favorable living conditions.
Wildwood
Wildwood, Florida has been identified as the fastest-growing city in the United States, posting a net migration rate of nearly 20% (19.53%) according to a recent nationwide analysis. The study analyzed population movement patterns across 859 cities and found Wildwood leading the list, with the second-ranked city, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, showing a net migration rate of approximately 7%.
Top-line details
The report places Wildwood at the top of a ranking that included 859 cities across the U.S. Eight cities from Florida made it into the top 25 fastest-growing ranking, reflecting a broader State-level trend of population gains in Florida. The analysis highlights that Florida’s appeal for aging baby boomers is driven by warm climate and lifestyle offerings, and federal data show millions have relocated to Florida recently, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is driving Wildwood’s growth
Researchers attribute Wildwood’s rapid growth primarily to its appeal as a retirement haven. Key attractors include numerous golf courses, themed restaurants, and active community programming. Wildwood is home to the southernmost portion of The Villages, a large and popular retirement community that contributes substantially to in-migration.
The city’s central location is another draw: it is just 50 miles northwest of Orlando and 75 miles northeast of Tampa, enabling convenient day trips to major Florida attractions. Locally, Wildwood’s nickname as the “Crossroads of Florida” reflects easy access to businesses and healthcare centers, attributes important to incoming residents.
Local amenities and lifestyle
Wildwood offers a tropical climate, outdoor recreation options, and a mix of charming shops and eateries. These amenities align with preferences cited for retirees and others relocating to Florida. The city’s combination of lifestyle offerings and transportation connections helps explain the scale and speed of the recent population gains.
Statewide and nationwide context
Eight cities from Florida made it into the top 25 fastest-growing ranking, signaling State-level dominance in new migration. Nationwide, the report also notes a separate trend of younger remote workers relocating to southern and western states in search of affordable living and quality of life. Observers point to the same factors—climate, lower cost in some areas, and lifestyle—that have drawn retirees and remote workers to Florida.
Potential impacts
The increase in new residents may boost the local economy through increased consumer spending, housing demand, and services. However, officials and residents in some areas are expressing concern about rising living costs and strains on local development and resources. Responses to the report note that residents of other cities are concerned about growth in Florida regions, prompting discussions on planning and infrastructure.
Methodology summary
The analysis reviewed migration data across a broad set of municipalities. The analysis included 859 cities across the U.S. and ranked them by net migration rates. The resulting ranking places Wildwood at the top for net in-migration, followed by Hilton Head Island at approximately 7% net migration.
What readers should know next
- Wildwood’s net migration rate of nearly 20% (19.53%) makes it the fastest-growing city in the United States in this analysis.
- Eight Florida cities appear in the top 25, underlining a State-level pattern of population gains.
- Federal data confirm large-scale moves to Florida in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Growth offers economic opportunity but can also increase living costs and pressure local services.
FAQ
- Which city was named the fastest-growing city in the United States?
-
Wildwood, Florida has been identified as the fastest-growing city in the United States.
- What net migration rate did Wildwood record?
-
Wildwood recorded a net migration rate of nearly 20% (19.53%).
- How many cities were included in the nationwide analysis?
-
The analysis included 859 cities across the U.S.
- What net migration rate did the second-ranked city have?
-
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had a net migration rate of approximately 7%.
- How many Florida cities made the top 25 fastest-growing ranking?
-
Eight cities from Florida made it into the top 25 fastest-growing ranking.
- What local features help explain Wildwood’s growth?
-
Wildwood is home to the southernmost portion of The Villages and offers golf courses, themed restaurants, vibrant community activities, a tropical climate, and convenient travel distances—just 50 miles northwest of Orlando and 75 miles northeast of Tampa.
- What broader trends does the report highlight?
-
The report highlights that younger remote workers are moving to southern and western states for affordable living and quality of life, and that federal data indicate millions have relocated to Florida recently, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAQ
- Which city was named the fastest-growing city in the United States?
-
Wildwood, Florida has been identified as the fastest-growing city in the United States.
- What net migration rate did Wildwood record?
-
Wildwood recorded a net migration rate of nearly 20% (19.53%).
- How many cities were included in the nationwide analysis?
-
The analysis included 859 cities across the U.S.
- What net migration rate did the second-ranked city have?
-
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had a net migration rate of approximately 7%.
- How many Florida cities made the top 25 fastest-growing ranking?
-
Eight cities from Florida made it into the top 25 fastest-growing ranking.
- What local features help explain Wildwood’s growth?
-
Wildwood is home to the southernmost portion of The Villages and offers golf courses, themed restaurants, vibrant community activities, a tropical climate, and convenient travel distances—just 50 miles northwest of Orlando and 75 miles northeast of Tampa.
- What broader trends does the report highlight?
-
The report highlights that younger remote workers are moving to southern and western states for affordable living and quality of life, and that federal data indicate millions have relocated to Florida recently, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key figures at a glance
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Wildwood net migration rate | Nearly 20% (19.53%) |
| Second-ranked city | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina — approximately 7% |
| Number of cities analyzed | 859 cities across the U.S. |
| Florida cities in top 25 | Eight cities from Florida made it into the top 25 fastest-growing ranking |
| Wildwood and The Villages | Wildwood is home to the southernmost portion of The Villages |
| Distance to Orlando | 50 miles northwest of Orlando |
| Distance to Tampa | 75 miles northeast of Tampa |
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: This Central Florida City is Growing Faster Than Anywhere Else in the Nation
- Travel + Leisure: Wildwood, Florida Fastest Growing City in the USA
- Southern Living: Fastest Growing City in the U.S. – Wildwood, FL
- U.S. News: The Fastest Growing Places in the U.S.
- Business Insider: City Metro Population Growth from 2022 to 2023 – Florida
- Wikipedia: Wildwood, Florida
- Google Search: Wildwood Florida
- Google Scholar: Wildwood Florida Growth
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildwood Florida
- Google News: Wildwood Florida
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
