Is the Midwest Growing?

For Des Moines bedroom community of Ankeny, that answer is a resounding yes.

Ankeny was just recognized by the US Census as the third largest growing community in the US. This is usually the growth speed of a coastal community, Texas or Arizona. Not generally a small town in the middle of the country.

But Ankeny is in fact growing gang busters. According to the Des Moines Register:

With a population increase of 6.5 percent last year, Ankeny is the third fastest-growing city in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In July 2014, Ankeny's population was 53,299, according to the Census Bureau. Estimates for July 2015 put its population at 56,764.

Not one factor can account for this growth. From my research, there is a mix of reasons. 

• Strong economics around Des Moines - Ankeny is a 15 minute drive to downtown.  
• The boom in agriculture. Not only just for farmers but for the large John Deere plant located in Ankeny. 
• New real estate development of Prairie Trail. Prairie Trail is one of the absolute best examples of an walk-able community, in my opinion, under development in the country. 

This is very good news for Omaha and the Midwest. Makes the possibility of the Omaha area growing and building strong developments that attract a diverse workforce immensely attractive.