Photos: Ten fastest-growing U.S. cities, and where Denver lands

If Denver has seemed a little more crowded over the past year or so, there's a reason. Forbes has just released its list of America's fastest growing cities, and Denver made the top ten. It's your call whether that qualifies as good news or not. Where did the Mile High...

By Michael Roberts

February 20, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

If Denver has seemed a little more crowded over the past year or so, there's a reason.

Forbes has just released its list of America's fastest growing cities, and Denver made the top ten.

It's your call whether that qualifies as good news or not.

Where did the Mile High City land? Count down the roster below, complete with photos and Forbes data.

Number 10: Houston, Texas MSA: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas Median Pay: $72,100 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.82% Unemployment Rate: 5.75% Number 9: Orlando, Florida MSA: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla.Median Pay: $55,700 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.82% Unemployment Rate: 5.76% Continue to keep counting down the ten fastest-growing U.S. cities. Number 8: Charlotte, North Carolina MSA: Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.Median Pay: $61,900 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.92% Unemployment Rate: 6.96% Number 7: Ogden, Utah MSA: Ogden-Clearfield, UtahMedian Pay: $56,000 2013 Population Growth Rate: 2.05% Unemployment Rate: 4.03% Continue to keep counting down the ten fastest-growing U.S. cities. Number 6: Denver, Colorado MSA: Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Colo. Median Pay: $64,900 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.75% Unemployment Rate: 5.95% Number 5: Salt Lake City, Utah MSA: Salt Lake City, UtahMedian Pay: $62,200 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.33% Unemployment Rate: 4% Continue to keep counting down the ten fastest-growing U.S. cities. Number 4: Dallas, Texas MSA: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TexasMedian Pay: $66,700 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.91% Unemployment Rate: 5.83% Number 3: Phoenix, Arizona MSA: Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz.Median Pay: $64,200 2013 Population Growth Rate: 1.67% Unemployment Rate: 6.4% Continue to keep counting down the ten fastest-growing U.S. cities. Number 2: Raleigh, North Carolina MSA: Raleigh-Cary, N.C.Median Pay: $64,800 2013 Population Growth Rate: 2.15% Unemployment Rate: 5.69% Number 1: Austin, Texas MSA: Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TexasMedian Pay: $64,000 2013 Population Growth Rate: 2.5% Unemployment Rate: 4.89%

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

More from our Lists & Weirdness archive from December: "Photos: Movoto's ten best American cities for 2013."

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo