Boomtown. The word sounds like it's describing an explosion -- and in a way, it is. Boomtowns are considered the fastest-growing cities in America due to rapid business and population growth. An example of such a place is Woodbridge, Virginia, which saw massive five- and eight-year percentage changes in population at 863.35% and 840.66%, respectively.

Next: 15 Cities Where Houses Are the Best Bargains Right Now
Important: Demand for Gold Is Up - Here's Everything You Need To Know

But Woodbridge isn't the only boomtown out there. GOBankingRates found one in every state by looking at the one-, five- and eight-year changes in population, occupied housing units and owner-occupied housing units of cities with a population of more than 25,000 but less than 500,000. Check out the list and find out if you're living in one of America's most thriving cities.

Alabama: Auburn

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 13.94%

  • 5 years: 23.74%

  • 8 years: 34.71%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 15.02%

  • 5 years: 24.63%

  • 8 years: 35.34%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 21.13%

  • 5 years: 52.17%

  • 8 years: 58.02%

See: 5 Expensive Renovations Homeowners Always Regret
Read: In Less Than a Decade, You'll Wish You Bought a Home in These 14 Metros

Alaska: Fairbanks

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 5.06%

  • 5 years: 1.35%

  • 8 years: 3.53%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.59%

  • 5 years: 0.08%

  • 8 years: 1.28%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.78%

  • 5 years: 2.37%

  • 8 years: -0.28%

Take Our Poll: Are You Planning To Buy or Sell a House This Year?

Arizona: Buckeye

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 20.47%

  • 5 years: 51.26%

  • 8 years: 70.48%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 22.99%

  • 5 years: 55.65%

  • 8 years: 74.96%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 27.89%

  • 5 years: 102.15%

  • 8 years: 126.85%

Arkansas: Springdale

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.78%

  • 5 years: 12.73%

  • 8 years: 19.17%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.90%

  • 5 years: 12.97%

  • 8 years: 19.39%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 12.98%

  • 5 years: 23.42%

  • 8 years: 23.55%

California: Irvine

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 9.23%

  • 5 years: 20.60%

  • 8 years: 34.62%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 9.33%

  • 5 years: 21.05%

  • 8 years: 35.78%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.77%

  • 5 years: 12.83%

  • 8 years: 20.54%

Colorado: Windsor

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 35.02%

  • 5 years: 51.14%

  • 8 years: 65.98%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 35.22%

  • 5 years: 51.46%

  • 8 years: 66.63%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 32.84%

  • 5 years: 48.93%

  • 8 years: 67.07%

Housing Market 2023: Prices Are Now So High That Banks Are Losing Money on Mortgages

Connecticut: Waterbury

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 5.51%

  • 5 years: 4.19%

  • 8 years: 3.39%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.68%

  • 5 years: 4.35%

  • 8 years: 3.56%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.10%

  • 5 years: 11.23%

  • 8 years: -0.13%

Delaware: Dover

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.82%

  • 5 years: 4.25%

  • 8 years: 6.31%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 3.31%

  • 5 years: 5.89%

  • 8 years: 7.37%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.81%

  • 5 years: 0.80%

  • 8 years: -4.99%

Florida: Horizon West

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 16.96%

  • 5 years: 139.76%

  • 8 years: 255.02%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 16.95%

  • 5 years: 139.75%

  • 8 years: 255.00%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 17.77%

  • 5 years: 147.37%

  • 8 years: 261.35%

Georgia: Union City

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 19.55%

  • 5 years: 27.79%

  • 8 years: 32.30%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 19.42%

  • 5 years: 27.54%

  • 8 years: 32.80%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 52.88%

  • 5 years: 69.17%

  • 8 years: 38.09%

More: Dave Ramsey's 7 Tips for Paying Off a Mortgage Faster

Hawaii: Urban Honolulu

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 1.26%

  • 5 years: 0.56%

  • 8 years: 3.20%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.35%

  • 5 years: 0.92%

  • 8 years: 3.58%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 3.94%

  • 5 years: 13.76%

  • 8 years: 14.73%

Idaho: Meridian

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.90%

  • 5 years: 30.57%

  • 8 years: 47.61%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.94%

  • 5 years: 30.67%

  • 8 years: 47.80%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 8.09%

  • 5 years: 35.29%

  • 8 years: 57.58%

Illinois: Evanston

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.05%

  • 5 years: 3.95%

  • 8 years: 4.69%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.28%

  • 5 years: 4.06%

  • 8 years: 4.81%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.64%

  • 5 years: 4.77%

  • 8 years: 2.81%

Indiana: Westfield

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 9.71%

  • 5 years: 33.28%

  • 8 years: 46.53%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 9.79%

  • 5 years: 33.43%

  • 8 years: 46.76%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 13.47%

  • 5 years: 36.91%

  • 8 years: 46.25%

Florida's Retirees Are Fleeing: Here's Where They're Going Instead

Iowa: Ankeny

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.47%

  • 5 years: 24.21%

  • 8 years: 39.42%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.58%

  • 5 years: 24.60%

  • 8 years: 39.71%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.55%

  • 5 years: 26.04%

  • 8 years: 35.25%

Kansas: Lenexa

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 3.56%

  • 5 years: 10.84%

  • 8 years: 16.02%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 3.61%

  • 5 years: 10.90%

  • 8 years: 16.31%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.34%

  • 5 years: 9.19%

  • 8 years: 17.34%

Kentucky: Georgetown

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 5.58%

  • 5 years: 14.42%

  • 8 years: 22.14%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.80%

  • 5 years: 15.34%

  • 8 years: 23.31%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.50%

  • 5 years: 19.46%

  • 8 years: 25.12%

Louisiana: Lake Charles

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 7.21%

  • 5 years: 11.19%

  • 8 years: 14.58%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.66%

  • 5 years: 12.29%

  • 8 years: 16.28%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 12.02%

  • 5 years: 27.48%

  • 8 years: 19.34%

Read: In Less Than a Decade, You Won't Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities

Maine: Portland

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.03%

  • 5 years: 2.12%

  • 8 years: 2.77%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.34%

  • 5 years: 2.39%

  • 8 years: 2.86%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.57%

  • 5 years: 14.68%

  • 8 years: 11.10%

Maryland: Laurel

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 14.39%

  • 5 years: 14.53%

  • 8 years: 16.24%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 14.50%

  • 5 years: 14.61%

  • 8 years: 16.51%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 16.85%

  • 5 years: 2.92%

  • 8 years: 0.85%

Massachusetts: Worcester

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 10.09%

  • 5 years: 10.99%

  • 8 years: 12.08%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 10.82%

  • 5 years: 10.24%

  • 8 years: 10.94%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 9.77%

  • 5 years: 9.48%

  • 8 years: 6.94%

Michigan: Hamtramck

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 26.93%

  • 5 years: 25.30%

  • 8 years: 23.77%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 28.36%

  • 5 years: 27.29%

  • 8 years: 25.68%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 31.20%

  • 5 years: 55.65%

  • 8 years: 44.10%

$2,000 Quarter? Check Your Pockets Before You Use This 2004 Coin

Minnesota: Minneapolis

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 0.13%

  • 5 years: 5.05%

  • 8 years: 9.25%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 0.25%

  • 5 years: 5.58%

  • 8 years: 9.90%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.62%

  • 5 years: 9.06%

  • 8 years: 9.43%

Mississippi: Clinton

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 12.23%

  • 5 years: 9.52%

  • 8 years: 9.73%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 12.63%

  • 5 years: 9.69%

  • 8 years: 11.34%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 14.74%

  • 5 years: 17.66%

  • 8 years: 17.94%

Missouri: Wentzville

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.94%

  • 5 years: 26.44%

  • 8 years: 42.46%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.00%

  • 5 years: 26.59%

  • 8 years: 42.82%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.72%

  • 5 years: 28.73%

  • 8 years: 42.43%

Montana: Bozeman

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.71%

  • 5 years: 23.50%

  • 8 years: 35.00%

• Change in owner occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.88%

  • 5 years: 23.87%

  • 8 years: 38.06%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 12.36%

  • 5 years: 28.78%

  • 8 years: 30.43%

Housing Market: Should Older Americans Rent in Retirement Instead of Paying a Mortgage?

Nebraska: Omaha

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 1.78%

  • 5 years: 10.15%

  • 8 years: 15.52%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.92%

  • 5 years: 10.38%

  • 8 years: 15.62%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.36%

  • 5 years: 13.61%

  • 8 years: 17.25%

Nevada: Enterprise

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.32%

  • 5 years: 69.39%

  • 8 years: 84.90%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.32%

  • 5 years: 69.43%

  • 8 years: 84.94%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.20%

  • 5 years: 87.16%

  • 8 years: 93.02%

New Hampshire: Dover

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.12%

  • 5 years: 6.01%

  • 8 years: 7.92%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.35%

  • 5 years: 6.33%

  • 8 years: 8.48%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.44%

  • 5 years: 10.02%

  • 8 years: 12.36%

New Jersey: Lakewood

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 21.28%

  • 5 years: 22.08%

  • 8 years: 31.59%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 21.99%

  • 5 years: 22.99%

  • 8 years: 33.36%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 25.56%

  • 5 years: 57.09%

  • 8 years: 55.56%

Also See: These Are the 10 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in the US -- 5 Are in Florida

New Mexico: Las Cruces

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.78%

  • 5 years: 8.35%

  • 8 years: 10.84%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.80%

  • 5 years: 8.82%

  • 8 years: 12.50%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 9.41%

  • 5 years: 21.24%

  • 8 years: 15.41%

New York: Kyras Joel

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 25.43%

  • 5 years: 50.00%

  • 8 years: 56.74%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 26.04%

  • 5 years: 50.81%

  • 8 years: 56.20%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 42.94%

  • 5 years: 94.01%

  • 8 years: 66.52%

North Carolina: Mooresville

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 25.80%

  • 5 years: 36.86%

  • 8 years: 43.24%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 26.08%

  • 5 years: 37.42%

  • 8 years: 43.97%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 32.82%

  • 5 years: 32.36%

  • 8 years: 27.25%

North Dakota: West Fargo

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 4.14%

  • 5 years: 20.14%

  • 8 years: 40.35%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.16%

  • 5 years: 20.20%

  • 8 years: 40.37%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.41%

  • 5 years: 21.35%

  • 8 years: 43.68%

I'm a Real Estate Agent: Here Are the 6 Cities Where You Should Avoid Buying a Home This Summer

Ohio: Cincinnati

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 1.97%

  • 5 years: 3.57%

  • 8 years: 3.87%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.08%

  • 5 years: 3.70%

  • 8 years: 4.06%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.61%

  • 5 years: 7.52%

  • 8 years: 2.53%

Oklahoma: Jenks

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 9.93%

  • 5 years: 26.99%

  • 8 years: 43.56%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 9.90%

  • 5 years: 26.83%

  • 8 years: 43.85%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 11.49%

  • 5 years: 21.94%

  • 8 years: 39.90%

Oregon: Redmond

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 5.74%

  • 5 years: 18.44%

  • 8 years: 24.74%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.86%

  • 5 years: 18.74%

  • 8 years: 25.07%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 13.14%

  • 5 years: 50.69%

  • 8 years: 48.45%

Pennsylvania: Hazelton

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 18.28%

  • 5 years: 17.57%

  • 8 years: 16.27%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 18.59%

  • 5 years: 18.68%

  • 8 years: 17.10%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 22.36%

  • 5 years: 5.70%

  • 8 years: 5.25%

Check Out: Cheapest Places To Buy a Home in Every State

Rhode Island: Providence

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 5.20%

  • 5 years: 5.57%

  • 8 years: 6.04%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.50%

  • 5 years: 5.73%

  • 8 years: 6.57%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 13.79%

  • 5 years: 28.03%

  • 8 years: 24.19%

South Carolina: Bluffton

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 19.07%

  • 5 years: 75.05%

  • 8 years: 112.74%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 19.16%

  • 5 years: 74.30%

  • 8 years: 111.83%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 17.19%

  • 5 years: 108.32%

  • 8 years: 154.26%

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 4.60%

  • 5 years: 12.73%

  • 8 years: 20.03%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.96%

  • 5 years: 12.88%

  • 8 years: 20.13%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 5.71%

  • 5 years: 12.81%

  • 8 years: 20.04%

Tennessee: Spring Hill

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 15.80%

  • 5 years: 40.85%

  • 8 years: 60.55%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 15.83%

  • 5 years: 40.92%

  • 8 years: 61.21%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 17.90%

  • 5 years: 40.98%

  • 8 years: 50.98%

Next: 8 Places in California Where Home Prices Have Plummeted

Texas: Timberwood Park

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 34.01%

  • 5 years: 26.97%

  • 8 years: 39.89%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 34.01%

  • 5 years: 26.97%

  • 8 years: 39.89%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 32.94%

  • 5 years: 32.95%

  • 8 years: 46.62%

Utah: Herriman

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 16.92%

  • 5 years: 81.18%

  • 8 years: 125.70%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 16.92%

  • 5 years: 81.18%

  • 8 years: 125.70%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year:  19.66%

  • 5 years: 107.07%

  • 8 years: 149.21%

Vermont: Burlington

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 4.83%

  • 5 years: 5.05%

  • 8 years: 5.60%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.85%

  • 5 years: 4.60%

  • 8 years: 4.32%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 7.96%

  • 5 years: 5.35%

  • 8 years: -3.38%

Virginia: Woodbridge

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 0.51%

  • 5 years: 863.35%

  • 8 years: 840.66%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 0.53%

  • 5 years: 865.16%

  • 8 years: 841.95%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 0.17%

  • 5 years: 770.71%

  • 8 years: 775.65%

Here's How Much Every Living US President Is Worth: Where Does Biden Rank?

Washington: Redmond

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 6.19%

  • 5 years: 21.76%

  • 8 years: 30.02%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 6.24%

  • 5 years: 21.93%

  • 8 years: 30.53%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.39%

  • 5 years: 16.15%

  • 8 years: 22.65%

West Virginia: Charleston

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 3.77%

  • 5 years: -2.30%

  • 8 years: -4.07%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.43%

  • 5 years: -1.76%

  • 8 years: -4.48%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 4.96%

  • 5 years: 5.06%

  • 8 years: -7.87%

Wisconsin: Madison

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 2.74%

  • 5 years: 7.89%

  • 8 years: 11.82%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.84%

  • 5 years: 8.33%

  • 8 years: 12.32%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 2.46%

  • 5 years: 8.55%

  • 8 years: 9.18%

Wyoming: Cheyenne

• Change in population:

  • 1 year: 0.80%

  • 5 years: 2.75%

  • 8 years: 6.74%

• Change in occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 1.09%

  • 5 years: 3.06%

  • 8 years: 6.84%

• Change in owner-occupied housing units:

  • 1 year: 0.78%

  • 5 years: 12.30%

  • 8 years: 20.90%

More From GOBankingRates

• Dave Ramsey Says 401(k)s Have a Big Tax Downside - Pick This Retirement Plan Instead

• Financial Insight in Your Inbox: Sign Up for GBR's Daily Newsletter

• 3 Ways to Recession Proof Your Retirement

• What's the Best Small Business in Your State? Vote For Your Favorite

Jami Farkas and Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article.

Please note: Images may feature nearest cities/landmarks and are for representational purposes only.

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the biggest boomtowns in every state by analyzing all U.S. cities with populations of under 500,000 but above 25,000 as sourced from the 2021 American Community Survey and evaluated them by the following criteria: (1) one-year change in total population by percentage; (2) one-year change in total population by number of people; (3) five-year change in total population by percentage; (4) five-year change in total population by number of people; (5) eight-year change in total population by percentage; (6) eight-year
change in total population by number of people; (6) one-year change in amount of occupied housing units by
percentage; (7) one-year change in amount of occupied housing units by number of units; (8) five-year change in
amount of occupied housing units by percentage; (9) five-year change in amount of occupied housing units by
number of units; (10) eight-year change in amount of occupied housing units by percentage; (11) eight-year
change in amount of occupied housing units by number of units; (12) one-year change in amount of owner-
occupied homes by percentage; (13) one-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by number of homes;
(14) five-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by percentage; (15) five-year change in amount of
owner-occupied homes by number of homes; (16) eight-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by
percentage; (17) eight-year change in amount of owner-occupied homes by number of homes; (18) one-year
change in per capita income by percentage; (19) one-year change in per capita income by dollars; (20) five-year
change in per capita income by percentage; (21) five-year change in per capita income by dollars; (22) eight-year
change in per capita income by percentage; and (23) eight-year change in per capita income by dollars. All data
was sourced from the 2021, 2020, 2016 and 2013 American Community Surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. All
factors were scored, added together and cities then ranked, with the best-scoring city being the biggest
boomtown in the state. All data was collected and is up to date as of Dec. 8, 2022.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Biggest Boomtowns in Every State