California Dreamin’ is more than just a song, and the fastest-growing cities in Southern California prove just that. If you’re lucky enough to live in Southern California, you’re living the dream. From the beaches to the mountains to the desert, there’s a little bit of everything. These up and coming cities in California are a great place to start searching for homes if you’re interested in settling down somewhere with plenty of potential in the golden state.
Eight of the country’s 50 most populated cities are in California, and on this list of the fastest-growing cities in the golden state, four of them are located in Southern California. No surprise the state is eighth on LawnStarter’s Quality of Life Index, or that so many people are moving to Southern California. So without further ado, here are the top fastest-growing cities, by a percentage of increase, in Southern California.
Beaumont
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The mountains are the backdrop in Beaumont, one of the most popular up-and-coming cities in Southern California, growing 43.82 over the last decade. Beaumont is situated south of Southern California’s highest peak, the 11,503-foot-high San Gorgonio Mountain. Located in Riverside County, it’s not far from Palm Springs.
The cost of living here is lower than in other cities in Southern California, and that makes buying a house with a yard in Beaumont, an attainable goal. A great place for those who love the outdoors, you can pick cherries during the summer in Cherry Valley, located just north of the city, golf at the Morongo Golf Club, or visit Wildwood Canyon State Park to see some views. Plus how can you beat the easy access to Big Bear and Mt. San Jacinto Park?
Chino Hills
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Chino Hills is one of the safest places in the country, the FBI ranking it as the city fourth-safest from violent crime rates. But that’s just one reason this city is the fastest growing in Southern California. The population spiked 4.6% in 2017 thanks in part to its convenient location San Bernardino County just a short distance from Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County. Bordering on Yorba Linda in Orange County, Chino Hills is actually the richest city in San Bernardino County.
Set against the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, the average income within Chino Hills is well above the national average at over $97,000 a year, but that hasn’t stopped newcomers from moving in.
Irvine
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Irvine is not only one of the fastest growing cities, but it’s also one of the safest cities in Southern California and one of the best cities to live in California. The beautiful high-value real estate, award-winning high schools, and master-planned layout of parks and amenities make Irvine such a popular place for people to settle in California.
More than 276,000 people already call Irvine, California, home, and new neighbors are arriving all the time. Irvine saw a 3.4% rise in population, making it the second fastest growing city in Southern California. The suburban feel makes this Orange County city one of the best places for families to live in California. About half of Irvine residents rent their home; the other half owns. It’s also one of the healthiest cities in America.
No surprise, as one of the top up and coming cities in California, Irvine is still growing with tons of newly built homes and communities to choose from. Top neighborhoods in Irvine with new homes include Orchard Hills and Woodbury. If you’re looking for more affordable places to buy in Irvine with a budget of $700k-$800k, check out Portola Springs, Woodbridge, and the Great Park. Warning, because Irvine is full of newer communities, you will often have to pay Mello Roos taxes on top of your monthly mortgage payment. The good news is, not every neighborhood has them, and they have an expiration date.
Aliso Viejo
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Aliso Viejo is nestled in the San Joaquin Hills in Orange County. It’s fairly young as cities go, incorporated in July of 2001. Nearly 50,000 people live here. One popular attraction? The Aliso and Woods Canyons Wilderness Park, which offers 4,500 acres for hikers, mountain bikers, and anyone who enjoys nature. It’s also about 15 minutes from the beach and easy access to the 5 and toll roads. That’s part of the reason the population of Aliso Viejo rose 3.1 percent in 2018.
Aliso Viejo also ranks as one of the safest cities in Orange County and one of the best suburbs to live in Orange County. Offering tons of affordable options including charming townhomes and condos, the city is conveniently located off the 241 toll road and also has quite a few great dog-friendly hiking trails including Aliso Summit and Shady Canyon Trail Loop.
Banning
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Banning’s population grew by 3.8% last year, making it the fastest-growing city in California with a population over 30,000, according to data from the California Department of Finance. Helping the city grow is an influx of newly constructed homes at affordable prices for Southern California. What’s surprising is that before 2019, Banning went a decade without issuing a single new residential permit, a stark contrast to the city’s current population boom.
In Banning you can visit the Malki Museum, the oldest not-for-profit museum founded with Native Americans to preserve art and artifacts, telling the story of the Southern Californian Indian cultures or catch a Little League game at Lion’s Park.
Brentwood
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If you look at sheer numbers, the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego grew by about 33,000 and 20,000 people last year. Since those SoCal cities already have populations in the millions, the growth percentages work out to be smaller than the official five fastest-growing cities in Southern California. There’s clearly something for everyone here. So stop dreaming and pack your bags. Southern California is calling.
Brentwood’s population has increased by 28.01% since the most recent census even though home prices continue to climb. The high cost of living and average household income is only a testament to the popularity of this picturesque suburb.
Lake Elsinore
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Lake Elsinore is probably best-known among locals as the best place to see the super bloom when it hits Southern California. Walker Canyon was flooded with visitors from LA, OC, and San Diego in 2019 to capture a photo of the orange hillsides blooming with poppies. The population of Lake Elsinore has also been booming, with a growth rate of 35.59% in 2020.
Located in Riverside County near Temecula, the city offers plenty of newly built homes, space to spread out, and affordable prices compared to the rest of Southern California. Lake Elsinore’s historic downtown area is a great place to drink in some local history and grab a bite among the museums, antique shops, and eateries. The city also has a casino, drawing crowds from neighboring communities.
Imperial City
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Located inland of San Diego just above Mexicali you will find Imperial City. Mostly desert landscape, the Imperial Valley includes Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and is characterized by a dry, arid climate. As of 2020, the city has seen a 37.3% population growth.
If you’re into geology, you’ll love this area where you can visit the Salton Sea and obsidian buttes. The result of volcanic activities beneath tectonic plates, you can walk along the buttes and take obsidian samples home as a souvenir. The small town hosts several events throughout the year including an annual Parade of Lights during the holidays.
Menifee
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According to census data, the population of Menifee, CA has grown 32.26%, with plenty of Southern California natives heading inland to avoid the high costs of home prices. The affordable city has a median home price of $529,000, trending upward 26% year-over-year. Located within close proximity to Murrieta and Temecula’s wine country, Menifee has low crime rates, offers great schools, and has plenty of more room for growth.
Menifee has some of the highest growth in regards to new home developments, building farther and farther away from the 15 freeway. Attractions in town include Drop Zone Waterpark, Motte Historical Museum with tons of vintage cars, and The Mason Jar Brewing Company – Menifee’s first and only craft microbrewery.
Vernon
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In another example of Californians moving away from big cities like San Francisco and into the suburbs, Vernon’s population has grown 98% according to the latest data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Located five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Vernon has a seedy past, but perhaps the impressive population growth means the city is headed for a much brighter future.
