Rapidly Growing Residential Areas with Unique Exterior Architecture

Today’s smart home buyers are not just looking for a larger living area or a reputed school district. They are aiming for characters: probably a roofline that attracts eyes, or a facade that blends perfectly with the landscape. 

Builders have acknowledged this change in priority, and they are pairing the rising population growth with suitable exterior designs, instead of the generic beige-on-beige look that was prevalent before.

This change in perspective is also changing where people are preferring to live. Just a decade ago people mostly preferred places with affordable land and short commute, but many people now prefer places with extraordinary streetscape. It means people are opting for places that are not just worth buying but also worth photographing. And this is exactly why exterior architecture matters now more than ever. 

Top 5 Rapidly Growing Residential Areas with Unique Exterior Architecture

According to the latest housing and population data, here are the 5 fastest growing residential areas that are getting highly favored for their exterior architecture. 

1. Bentonville, Arkansas

Since 2020, Bentonville’s population has increased by 18%, and currently it is around 65,000. WIth a population growth rate around 2.8% per year, this area has now become one of the most exciting architectural stories around the country.

Recently, the city ran a real estate design competition judged by reputed architects, where renowned firms from Dublin to Los Angeles submitted their concepts for mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods. As a result, the city saw more homes scaled to the Ozark landscape: warm and modern feeling, natural wood cladding, and beautiful courtyards bringing in soft transitions between the public and private spaces. Eventually, the city has recently landed on the “Best places to move" list.

2. Longmont, Colorado

Longmont showcases one of the steadiest growth among all Colorado cities. Since 2010, its population has expanded over 12.5% and currently it has over 100,000 residents living here. Single-family listings have lately touched an 11 year high here.

What differentiates Longmont is its unique blend. In the downtown it has century-old brick storefronts, and just a few miles away you’ll find a subdivision in “foothill modern” style. 

Longmont borrows its look from mountain lodges without resembling the log-cabin cliché. This trend is spreading to downtown projects with the redevelopment of older lots. If you are interested to find out more about the style that’s currently trending in Longmont, you can browse through the recent listings in the Longmont real estate market. That will help you realize how homes are priced here and how fast they move.

3. Celina, Texas

With population climbing around 18% within a single year, Celina is now one of the most rapidly growing towns across the country. Its current population is above 50,000. Most of the residents live around the master-planned communities such as Mustang Lakes, Light Farms and Cambridge Crossing. All these places showcase a constant architectural identity: the modern farmhouse style.

Here, you’ll often find board and batten sidings in soft grays and whites, metal roof accents over dormers and porches, and dark window frames.

Overall, the style Celina represents is both fresh and familiar. This is exactly why it has spread fast across the whole North Texas.

4. Queen Creek, Arizona

Queen Creek has experienced above 48% population growth since 2020. With an additional 30,000 since 2020, this city now has a population around 90,000.

The architectural signature of this area is desert contemporary design. You’ll find flat or low pitched rooflines, warm toned stucco, large glass walls. All these together pull the desert vibe indoors. The arched doorways and clay roofs will remind you of Spanish colonial style. On the other hand, the new constructions are sun conscious, focusing on shade and airflow just as much as the curb appeal.

5. Leland, North Carolina

The population of Leland has nearly doubled since 2010, and it is projected that by 2045 it might get tripled. Thanks to the affordable land, coast proximity, and a good number of new employers, this place is booming fast and significantly.

The architecture in Leland is based on coastal traditions. Most homes are built on elevated foundations, shiplap siding, metal roofs, and sun bleached color palettes. The buildings are built to withstand heavy storms and coastal humidity. Overall, Leland carries a distinct identity that feels a world away from standard, typical subdivisions.

Let’s Look At The Bigger Picture

The one thing that ties all of the above five places together is not geography, but intention. They are bold enough to carry their own styles. They speak out loud that growth does not demand similarity. They are unique in their own characteristics and this is what makes each of them attractive to buyers. 

These days, a good chunk of buyers are relocating in search of better space and more affordability. In such a situation, the towns that are focusing both on growth and architectural identity are winning.