10 Best Up-And-Coming US Towns
Several classifications contribute to the status of up-and-coming being given to a town, a city, or even a neighborhood within a city. These include showcasing popular hometown shops and eateries, having natural and historical attractions, and hosting festivals for visitors in the town year-round. Each of these factors guarantees a growth of social economics, creating an influx of residents and urging visitors to return each year. From Camden on the Atlantic coast to Auburn on the Pacific, here are ten small towns that offer these factors in varying degrees. Whether it is due to a local restaurant in Maine or to the facades of architecture in California, these towns are some of the best up-and-coming towns in the United States.
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
On the banks of the Lehigh River, 120 miles west of New York City, the town of Jim Thorpe is a perfect example of an up-and-coming town in many ways. While it had a population decrease several years back, this borough of 5,000 is now steadily growing.
Jim Thorpe also features several events annually, like the Fall Foliage Festival, held the first three weekends in October, and WinterFest every February. Many businesses in and around Jim Thorpe draw people from all over America, like the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary and the Asa Packer Museum, which was finished in 1861.
Camden, Maine
The picturesque town of Camden, located on the coast of the Atlantic, has many attributes that help to label it as one of the best up-and-coming towns in the United States. In addition to a steady and slowing increasing population of 5,000 residents, the economy remains strong and on the rise, bringing thousands of tourists every year. The creation of the riverwalk and public landing in 2013 and efforts to protect the resilience of that same public landing, as well as all of Camden Harbor, in 2020 have helped to improve the social growth within this small town.
Several other amenities in and around Camden, Maine, assist in that growth as well, like Camden Hills State Park and the High Street Historic District. While the state park promotes revenue through camping, fishing, and hiking, the historic district in downtown Camden supports local eateries like Peter Ott’s and the Waterfront and mom-and-pop shops like The Smiling Cow and Once A Tree.
Aspen, Colorado
As another popular tourist town, Aspen's population is currently in a slight decline, but it has a strong economy, drawing visitors, especially during the cooler months. While Aspen is predominantly known for its skiing and snowboarding during the winter, several events and amenities occur in the summertime that also assist the economic growth of this small Colorado town, like the Aspen Food & Wine festival, the Aspen Ideas festival, and Aspen Summer Words, all of which take place in the month of June.
A variety of other up-and-coming attributes are located within downtown Aspen as well, including a Darkside Ghost tour, an Aspen Scavenger Hunt, and a Past-to-Present Historical tour. These all allow a steady growth of revenue through shopping at stores like the Aspen Emporium, dining at restaurants like the White House Tavern, and staying at bed & breakfast inns like the Hearthstone House.
Taos, New Mexico
Not only popular with tourists, this town of 6,000 grew by 12% from 2010 to 2020. Between the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the High Road to Taos, and Enchanted Circle Drive, the town of Taos has a multitude of outdoor activities that help to raise its economic stability. Downtown Taos, New Mexico, also assists with this by having several shops, eateries, and inns that cater especially to visitors. The Adobe & Pines Inn, which is in close proximity to a variety of quaint, mom-and-pop shops, is a comfy place to rest for the evening and have a great breakfast the following morning.
Several museums provide a true taste of this town's heritage and history. The Taos Art Museum and the Kit Carson Home add ambiance to the history, while Taos Plaza offers everything from restaurants like Lambert’s to shops like John Dunn, all constructed in that cultural adobe fashion.
Petoskey, Michigan
With a population increase of approximately 3.5% between 2010 and 2020, this city of 5,887 residents is on the rise. High up on “the Mitten,” on the southern shore of Little Traverse Bay, the town of Petoskey is a hidden gem within the miles of farmland for which Michigan is known. Petoskey State Park and the Bear River Valley Recreation Area both add to that healthy economic growth that Petoskey is currently experiencing.
Petoskey is also home to its very own Historic Gaslight District, which has several restaurants and eateries like Chandler’s, which features a tasty Bronzini, and a variety of local shops like Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts and Haystacks. There are even a plethora of local parks in and around downtown Petoskey, including Bayfront, Washington, and Magnus, all providing that sense of warmth to be experienced by visitors from near and far.
Skaneateles, New York
The town of Skaneateles, situated at the head of Skaneateles Lake and north of Carpenter Falls, is one of the most welcoming towns in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Being in close proximity to a plethora of natural amenities, as well as a variety of hometown shops and B&B inns, like Aristocats and Dogs and the Hobbit Hollow, assists with this town of 7,000 residents being considered one of the best up-and-coming towns in all of the United States.
Skaneateles also claims ownership of many festivals which cater to visitors as well as residents. The Curbstone Festival brings shopping out on the sidewalks of Skaneateles, while the “Off the Dock” Chamber Festival provides a taste of music quite near to several excellent restaurant choices like Blue Water Grill and Willow Glen.
Bisbee, Arizona
The town of Bisbee is best known for Lowell Historic District and Erie Street, first originating as the community of Lowell at the start of the 20th century and is still maintained today as a replica of its former self by volunteers. Yet this town of 5,000 people in Arizona is also known for a variety of other historical attributes that add to its economic growth, including the Copper Queen Mine, the Bisbee Mining Museum, and the Muheim Heritage House, all of which showcase the history of the town and the surrounding area.
There are also a variety of local shops, diners, and restaurants in Bisbee, like Le Cornucopia Cafe, the Bisbee Breakfast Club, and Bisbee’s Table, which serves delicious hometown meatloaf.
Brattleboro, Vermont
On the opposite corner of the United States, in the pastoral state of Vermont, the town of Brattleboro is an oasis set amidst a plethora of dairy farms. From Living Memorial Park and Brattleboro Commons to Brattleboro Farmers Market and the Creamery Covered Bridge, Brattleboro welcomes visitors to return for a new experience each year.
There are also several local farms, like Robb Family Farm Sugar House, which aim more to guests of Brattleboro than most, while a variety of other stores and establishments, including Twice Upon A Time and Saxton’s Distillery, cater especially to visitors. There are also great restaurants and inns assisting with the growth of town, like Peter Havens Restaurant and the Inn on Putney Road B&B. With a steady and slow-growing population of 12,000, Battleboro is one of the largest and most up-and-coming communities on the border of eastern Vermont.
Bardstown, Kentucky
With a 14% increase in population from 2010 to 2020, Bardstown is a fast-growing community, and popular as the home of Kentucky Bourbon. This creates steep economic growth for this Nelson County town in a multitude of possibilities, including through the many bourbon distilleries, visitors checking out the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, and the many bourbon tasting rooms in town.
Yet this town of around 13,000 people is also home to several attributes not acquainted with the creation and distribution of bourbon, like My Old Kentucky Home State Park and the Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum. There are a plethora of excellent dining and lodging choices in town as well, including Stephen Foster Restaurant, showcasing a delicious southern fare, and Red Rose Inn B&B, which offers a great breakfast the following morning.
Auburn, California
Located in Placer County, Auburn has a growing population of about 14,000 residents. This picturesque California town is home to a variety of attractions and attributes that cater to visitors year-round. The Auburn State Recreation Area, Foresthill, and Lake Clementine all add a touch of nature, while Old Town Auburn, an excellent weekend treat, has everything from downtown walking tours to a plethora of eateries and restaurants.
Katrina’s Cafe serves a delicious hometown eggs benedict, while cultural fares can be experienced through the Auburn Thai Garden and tre Pazzi trattoria. There are also a variety of shops in downtown Auburn, including TBG, which offers handmade clothing styles.
While the entirety of the United States presents the avid traveler with everything from majestic mountain peaks to picturesque coastal vistas, there is something to be said about small towns possessing that drive to become more while not inhibiting its quaint hometown charm. From the western seaboard and the town of Auburn to the east coast and the town of Camden, there are many small towns in America that excel in growing economically. Whether it is through the revenue of shops and restaurants downtown or the profits of nearby natural attractions, these ten towns are some of the best up-and-coming towns in the United States.
