Texas is regularly among the fastest-growing states in the country, but one group in particular is helping to drive that growth--young people. Millennials (ages 18-34) are moving to Texas at the second highest rate of any state in the country, according to the latest report from SmartAsset. The study used census data to rank which states gained the largest net number of millennials in 2016. Texas ranked second, adding nearly 34,000 more millennials than it lost. Washington was first, adding nearly 40,000 millennials to its population.
There are several factors for Texas' popularity among millennials, starting with the state's booming economy and job growth. "With that job growth, there are a lot of entry-level positions, and a lot of these corporations find that the cost of living is lower in Texas," says Josh DeShong, Texas-based real estate expert. "Whether in Dallas, Austin, Houston...housing affordability, cost of living, everything is relatively low, and that gives millennials a good chance to actually establish themselves and afford to live."