Long considered America’s flyover region, the heartland states have experienced a post-pandemic revival thanks to an influx of newcomers moving from the nation’s major metros—and it’s having a very positive impact on the housing markets in key migration hubs.
Cities like Columbus, OH , Grand Rapids, MI , Indianapolis , Nashville, TN , and Austin, TX , have been pulling in young professionals attracted by well-paying jobs in tech, manufacturing, health care, and financial services, as well as families looking for affordable housing and a more relaxed pace of life.
The success of this internal migration has been undeniable. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, an estimated 39% of the U.S. population lived in the heartland region in 2024, representing a 2.65% uptick from 2020. For comparison, the population in the rest of the U.S. grew by only 2.59%…