News Flash

Heartland Forward: Midland is the 'Most Dynamic' metro

City of Midland News Release Posted on January 31, 2025

MIDLAND CALLED 'MOST DYNAMIC METROPOLITAN' AREA in HEARTLAND FORWARD REPORT

(Jan. 31, 2025)

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- Driven by its oil-based economy, Midland reclaimed the No. 1 spot in Heartland Forward’s 2024 Most Dynamic Metropolitans report.

Midland, Wildwood-The Villages, Florida; and Bozeman, Montana; ranked as the top three most dynamic metropolitans. Midland also ranked as the top Heartland Metro – the “heartland” is defined as 20 states in the center of the country. Midland ranked first in short-term GDP growth and per capita income ($151,400), according to Heartland Forward’s report.

The report, now in its sixth year, provides a benchmark for identifying growth areas across the country by measuring where American communities are thriving and showcasing the strategies these communities are using effectively.

The “Most Dynamic Metropolitans” report ranks 380 metropolitan areas by measuring key indicators like employment growth, average annual pay, real GDP, entrepreneurial activity and educational attainment. Using multiple data points, the report is a valuable tool for governors, mayors and economic development departments to evaluate their policies and identify best practices for growth, development and community health. 

 Key trends identified in the report include: 

  • AI investment and policy
  • Advanced manufacturing innovation
  • Post-pandemic tourism and recreation growth
  • Oil, gas and alternative energy
  • University-driven growth

“These leading metros demonstrate how strategic investments in AI, advanced manufacturing, tourism and energy can create dynamic economic growth and resilient communities. We celebrate the mayors and economic development teams whose hard work is reflected in the rankings,” said Ross DeVol, CEO and chairman of Heartland Forward. “We hope government leaders will continue to use the lessons of this report to make smart, long-term decisions around economic growth.”

Across the region, Abilene ranked 89th, San Angelo 98th, Odessa 103rd, Amarillo 165th and Lubbock 204th.

 

Top 25 Metropolitan Areas for 2024

1. Midland

2. Wildwood-The Villages, Fla.

3. Bozeman, Mont.

4. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

5. Naples-Marco Island, Fla.

6. Punta Gorda, Fla.

7. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.

8. Bend, Ore.

9. Provo-Orem-Lehi, Utah

10. St. George, Utah

11. Boulder, Colo.

12. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Fla.

13. Sherman-Denison

14. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.

15. Greeley, Colo.

16. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, S.C.

17. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.

18. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

19. Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.

20. Boise City, Idaho

21. College Station-Bryan

22. Salt Lake City-Murray, Utah

23. Auburn-Opelika, Ala.

24. Helena, Mont.

25. Wilmington, N.C.

To learn more about Heartland Forward, please visit https://heartlandforward.org.

 

Top 10 Heartland Metros

The heartland—defined as 20 states in the center of the country—showcased several high-performing regions (the overall ranking is listed in parentheses):

  1. Midland (No. 1)
  2. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos (No. 4)
  3. Sherman-Denison (No. 13)
  4. College Station-Bryan (No. 21)
  5. Auburn-Opelika, AL (No. 23)
  6. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR (No. 36)
  7. Huntsville, AL (No. 38)
  8. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN (No. 45)
  9. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL (No. 47)
  10. Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA (No. 49)