Exclusive sponsor
Sprouts Is Following Sun Belt Growth Into the Next Ring of Suburbs
Sprouts Farmers Market is growing beyond major metros, opening new stores in fast-expanding Sun Belt suburbs. This trend signals how suburban growth is attracting…
Section
Sun Belt America
Sun Belt America follows the population shifts reshaping the South and Southwest, from migration and housing to jobs, education, development and the changing suburbs where much of America’s growth is taking place.
118 stories · Page 9
Community Voice
A snapshot of reader views, not a scientific survey.
Explore Community Voice →
Texas Cities Can No Longer Shut Out Manufactured Homes. Will It Make Housing Cheaper?
Texas now requires cities with zoning to permit new manufactured homes in at least one residential district. While this could improve housing affordability, local…
The Next Sun Belt Highway May Carry Power, Water and Data Alongside Cars
The federal government proposes using highway corridors to carry utilities like power and broadband, aiming to support the Sun Belt’s fast growth and infrastructure…
Nashville Moves to Name Its Airport for Dolly Parton
Nashville International Airport could soon be named after Dolly Parton, reflecting her musical legacy and philanthropy. The proposal has widespread public support and emphasizes…
Florida’s Migration Boom Didn’t End. It Moved Inland and Became Harder to Measure
Florida’s migration boom is evolving as more residents relocate inland to affordable counties despite slower net population gains. The state still attracts people across…
Southern Living Is Turning Its Version of the South Into a Place People Can Buy
Southern Living’s new Friedën community near Fredericksburg, Texas, blends modern farmhouse design with Hill Country tradition. The development uses controlled architectural standards to create…
Elon Musk Is Building Something Close to a Company Town on the Louisiana Coast
SpaceX will develop a $100 billion industrial campus on the Louisiana coast featuring launch pads, employee housing, and infrastructure. The massive project aims to…
The Sun Belt Is Adding Jobs. Many Displaced Workers Are Returning for Less
The Sun Belt's job market expands as displaced workers find new roles, but many earn less than before. Older workers and manufacturing employees face…
Texas Wants to Cut a Year From the Bachelor’s Degree
Texas is developing three-year bachelor’s degree programs to reduce credit requirements and college expenses. The pilot at Our Lady of the Lake University could…
The Data-Center Boom Is Building a New Factory Workforce in the Sun Belt
Factory jobs are rising in the Sun Belt as manufacturers ramp up production to meet data center power needs. Investments in electrical equipment plants…
America’s Homeowners Have Never Been Richer. Some Recent Sun Belt Buyers Are Underwater
Homeowners in the U.S. now hold unprecedented equity, yet a rising number of recent buyers in Sun Belt states owe more than their homes’…
Florida’s Home-Insurance Crisis Is Easing. That Does Not Mean It Is Over
Florida’s home-insurance market is stabilizing with more private insurers and reduced rates. Citizens Property Insurance has significantly lowered its policy numbers, indicating decreased state…