A hidden gem of a boomtown sitting in Florida is giving signs that it’s ready to explode as a popular restaurant chain has launched a second establishment in the city.

A SmartAsset study found that Palm Coast, about 65 miles from Jacksonville, was identified as the sixth-fastest-growing town in the country.

The study analyzed more than 400 areas with populations of 65,000 or more and received a composite score.

The score was based on five-year changes in economic output, labor force size, and housing units from 2019 to 2024.

Over those years, Palm Coast saw a 27 percent increase in housing units and a compound annual real GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent.

Additionally, the labor force increased by 21 percent in the seaside city. 

Contributing to the increase in jobs is the new Chipotle that opened up in Palm Coast just eight years after the first.

The new Chipotle will bring 30 jobs to the city after city officials have been emphasizing the need for commercial development, which will provide a boost to the city’s tax base, according to Flagler Live.

A SmartAsset study found that Palm Coast was identified as the sixth-fastest-growing town in the country 

The study looked at more than 400 cities with populations of 65,000 and then gave them a score based on five-year changes in economic output, labor force size, and housing units from 2019 to 2024

The new location will open on June 30 and will be located at 4920 Belle Terre Parkway.

Outside of Palm Coast, Florida leads all states with 19 boomtowns, with Texas just one shy at 18 cities.

However, Texas took up the majority of the top ten towns booming with success, taking seven spots, including first place and second.

Georgetown, Texas had astonishing numbers that earned it as the greatest boomtown in the county.

The report showed that the city increased housing units by 34 percent as well as its labor force by the same figure.

Georgetown’s compound annual real GDP grew 7.7 percent, one of the highest in the study.

A surprising city that ranked third was Lehi, Utah, which had impressive figures as well.

Aside from the booming enclaves in Florida, many retirement-age movers are packing up and leaving the Sunshine State.

Instead of Florida, they’re settling in places like the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Texas – states that offer many of the same benefits but fewer headaches.

A new Chipotle opened up in Palm Coast just eight years after its first location contributing 30 jobs to the city

The labor force increased by 21 percent in Palm Coast as well as a 27 percent increase in housing units and a compound annual real GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent

The shift is creating a new generation of retirees known as ‘halfbacks’ – people who moved to Florida, only to move halfway back north later.

According to data from HireAHelper, more than 2.1 million Americans aged 65 and older relocated in 2025, accounting for roughly 14 percent of all moves nationwide.

The data showed that Florida welcomed 45,696 retirees, more than any other state in America – but it also saw 44,881 retirees depart the state, for a net gain of just 815 people.