Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
(MoneyWatch) The hottest suburbs to live in aren't hot at all.
Seattle, despite its cool, rainy weather, boasts three of the top growing 10 suburbs, according to a new survey.
Through an extensive study of more than 1,500 suburbs, the folks at national real estate firm Coldwell Banker have identified the top suburbs that are exploding in terms of economic and population growth.
The rankings are based on a number of factors, but focused on employment rates, both year-over-year increases and overall unemployment that fall well below the national norm. They also factored in access to suburban staples such as grocery stores, shopping, banks and entertainment; proximity to good schools; light commute times and low crime.
These suburbs are recovering quickly from the national recession, and emerging as the best places to live. For homeowners in these suburbs, their home values are set to rise.
Check out the last slide for a list of the hottest suburbs in each state.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
10. Maple Valley, Wash.
Median home price: $279,200
Maple Valley, nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, is surrounded by three lakes and several miles of trails, combining the nostalgia of country living near the convenience of a city. Having more than doubled its population since the 1990s, this suburb has become one of the fastest growing areas in the state, with a job market focused on retail, construction and education.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
9. Cooper City, Fla
Median home price: $274,000
Cooper City, a suburb of the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, boasts good public schools, low crime and high property values. Like most areas in southern Florida, it has seen home prices explode recently. It is also home to Brian Piccolo Park, which includes tennis courts, multi-purpose fields, a skate park and one of the few cycling tracks in South Florida, as well as one of the best cricket grounds in the United States.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
8. Lehi, Utah
Median home price: $230,300
Lehi, Utah is known for its world-famous Lehi Roundup Rodeo and strong workforce, supported by graduates at nearby Utah Valley University and Brigham Young. Commercial development has been growing quickly in the suburb, located between Provo and Salt Lake City, where young families are settling down.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
7. Brentwood, Tenn.
Median home price: $487,600
Brentwood, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville, is home to some famous athletes and musicians, so it's no wonder that it has the highest per capita income in Tennessee. Many locals work for the surrounding national and regional corporate headquarters or offices, such as Nissan North America, Comdata or Tractor Supply Company. It has the shortest commute of any suburb in Nashville, great schools and high quality of life.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
6. Riverton, Utah
Median home price: $275,000
Once a rural farming town, Riverton has transformed over the years thanks to the addition of new businesses. This suburb of Salt Lake City also recently became the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' technology center, one of the newest major employers in Riverton. Other regional companies based here include Micron Technology, Inc., Xango and Cabela's.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
5. Mercer Island, Wash.
Median home price: $883,700
Mercer Island, Wash., holds the title of most populated island on a lake within the U.S. and is connected to Seattle by the second-longest floating bridge in the world. Despite its large population, it's also known for its very large--and very expensive--houses. The idyllic island has excellent schools and has been named one of the most-educated small towns in America by Forbes Magazine.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
4. Sammamish, Wash.
Median home price: $576,400
Workers living in Sammamish, Wash. are largely employed by the technology and aerospace sectors--a unique element to this young Seattle suburb. The city is nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and is surrounded by beautiful lakes: Sammamish, Beaver and Pine. The city has consistently been included as one of the best places to live by CNN Money.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
3. Fruit Cove, Fla.
Median home price: $234,800
Fruit Cove, Fla., located along the St. John's River south of Jacksonville, is home to unique small companies, corporations and specialty shops. It has been named by Business Week as the most affordable suburb in Florida. It retains a small town feel, despite its rapid growth: Fruit Cove's population has grown by more than 82 percent in the past decade.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
2. Prairieville, La.
Median home price: $185,000
Prairieville, a suburb of Baton Rouge, is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, with more than 25 specialty chemical and petrochemical plants clustered along the nearby Mississippi River. Residents of Baton Rouge have been flocking to the bedroom community, thanks to its high-performing public schools and low crime rate. The population grew by 60 percent from the 2000 census to the 2010 census.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
1. Cottage Lake, Wash.
Median home price: $799,950
Despite its relative distance from Seattle at 21 miles northeast, Cottage Lake scored big points for having a wide and growing number of businesses, ranging from IT and finance to medical and biotechnology firms. The area is also a big proponent of its local wine-making and agritourism industries.
Top 10 hottest suburbs in the U.S.
The hottest suburbs by state:
Alabama: Pelham, a suburb of Birmingham
Arizona: Fountain Hills, a suburb of Phoenix/Scottsdale
Arkansas: Bella Vista, a suburb of Bentonville
California: Belmont, a suburb of San Francisco/San Jose
Colorado: Highlands Ranch, a suburb of Denver
Connecticut: Trumbull, a suburb near Stamford
Delaware: Newark, a suburb of Wilmington
Georgia: Evans, a suburb of Augusta
Hawaii: Mililani Town
Idaho: Rexburg
Illinois: Elmhurst, a suburb of Chicago
Indiana: Carmel, a suburb of Indianapolis
Iowa: Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines
Kansas: Leawood, a suburb of Kansas City
Kentucky: Georgetown, a suburb of Lexington
Maine: South Portland, a suburb of Portland
Massachusetts: Lexington, a suburb of Boston
Michigan: Forest Hills, a suburb of Grand Rapids
Minnesota: Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis
Mississippi: Brandon, a suburb of Jackson
Missouri: St. Peters, a suburb of St. Louis
Nebraska: Hastings, a suburb of
Nevada: Summerlin South, a suburb of Las Vegas
New Hampshire: Merrimack
New Jersey: Bridgewater, near New York City
New Mexico: Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque
New York: Clarkstown, a suburb of New York City
North Carolina: Chapel Hill, near Raleigh/Durham
North Dakota: West Fargo, a suburb of Fargo
Ohio: Delaware, a suburb of Columbus
Oklahoma: Broken Arrow, a suburb of Tulsa
Oregon: West Linn, a suburb of Portland
Pennsylvania: Plum, a suburb of Pittsburgh
Rhode Island: Coventry, a suburb of Providence
South Carolina: Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston
Texas: Little Elm, outside Dallas
Virginia: McLean, near Washington, D.C.
Wisconsin: Mequon, a suburb of Milwaukee
Note: Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming were not included in the above list due to all suburbs falling below the 22,275 population .level required for inclusion in the survey.