This New Jersey Community Was Named the Second-Fastest-Growing Housing Market in the U.S.

One New Jersey community is riding the wave of a suburban and exurban housing boom that’s reshaping America.

Blackwells Mills, a Somerset County exurb roughly 9 miles from Rutgers University, has skyrocketed into the nation’s spotlight as the second fastest-growing housing market from 2013 to 2022, according to StorageCafe, part of real-estate software platform Yardi, as reported by the Bergen Record. (The first, meanwhile, is Vineyard, Utah.)

Once a sleepy spot, Blackwells Mills has transformed dramatically.

The report reveals a staggering 1,980% increase in housing units over the past decade, skyrocketing from a modest count to 2,871 homes by 2022. Meanwhile, the population explosion is even more eye-popping, surging from under 500 residents in 2013 to a bustling 10,047 in 2022—a massive 2,292% increase.

“Housing inventory in exurbs grew by an average of 15% over the past 10 years, outpacing suburbs at 14% and principal cities at 10%,” the report says.

“Population growth in exurbs (16%) also surpassed that of suburbs (13%) and principal cities (9%), highlighting a broader demographic shift.”

So, what’s fueling this phenomenal growth?

The report points to soaring urban housing costs as a primary driver. As cities like Washington DC and the tri-state area become increasingly unaffordable, homebuyers are seeking refuge in suburban and exurban havens where their money stretches farther.

“Housing affordability is a major factor,” the report adds. “Moreover, the rise of remote work has enabled people to move away from expensive urban centers to more affordable regions where they can maintain a high quality of life while working from home.

“This trend has benefited cities like Blackwells Mills in New Jersey and Davenport and Nocatee in Florida,” it adds.