America's fastest-growing city has two things everyone wants

America's fastest growing city has two things everyone wants, according to its mayor. 

Celina, Texas, is the fastest growing city in the US. Located around 40 miles north of Dallas, it saw its population surge over 25 percent between July 2022 and July 2023. 

The city had only 6,028 residents in 2010, which ballooned to 43,317 in 2023, according to latest figures from the US Census Bureau.

Despite its growth, the city has still kept its small town spirit, according to its mayor Ryan Tubbs. 

Tubbs told Business Insider how he believes there are two main things about the city which are drawing in new residents: its relative affordability and its close-knit community. 

Celina, Texas, is the fastest growing city in the US, according to the Census Bureau

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'It's just astronomical growth when you think about the influx of residents,' Tubbs told the outlet. 

'Even so, our vision is to maintain that small-town feel, no matter how big we get.'

According to data company Payscale, Celina's cost of living is 18 percent lower than the national average. 

In nearby Dallas, by comparison, the cost of living is 3 percent higher than the national average. 

'The cost of living in Celina is a significant factor for many families and individuals who choose to live here,' Tubbs said. 

The average home in Celina sold for $632,030 in May this year, according to data from Redfin. 

While this is higher than the national average, it is substantially lower than in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco, where many residents are moving from. 

Celina's population growth between July 2022 and July 2023 far exceeded the 0.5 percent growth rate of the US as a whole. 

Most of the new residents in Collin County, where Celina is located, come from Texas ZIP codes, Business Insider reported, as well as ones in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri. 

Analysis of census migration data found a significant number of people are also coming from Africa, Asia, Central America and Europe. 

Another substantial draw for new residents in Celina is the tight-knit, community feel of the former farming town, alongside its low crime rates and well-ranked schools.

'We have people who were born and raised in Celina and remember it when it was just a small farming community,' Tubbs told Business Insider.

In order to preserve its small town feel, the city regularly hosts markets, movie screenings and festivals. 

Mayor Ryan Tubbs said people are drawn to Celina for its relative affordability and its close-knit community

In order to preserve its small town feel, the city regularly hosts markets, movie screenings and festivals

In May, the city hosts its annual Cajun Festival in its downtown square

Celina  had only 6,028 residents in 2010 - a figure that grew to 43,317 in 2023

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In May, the city hosts its annual Cajun Festival in its downtown square, which it bills as the 'Biggest Crawfish Boil in Northern Texas.' 

This year's event was complete with live alligator shows, a family-friendly carnival and a live performance by country star Aaron Watson.

And of course, thousands of pounds of fresh crawfish for residents and passersby alike to enjoy.

'These events connect us to our past and to one another in an incomparable way,' Tubbs added.