Exurbs: America's biggest housing trend you haven't heard of

Northeastern exurbs were the nation's biggest housing markets in 2024

Illustration depicting a split between the city and the suburbs, with a mother and child holding hands walking in between them
Exurbs are 'defined by their association with a nearby city's economy'
(Image credit: Illustration by Marian Femenias-Moratinos / Getty Images)

Fleeing the hustle of the big city to the idyllic suburbs is a classic trope, but in recent years Americans have been shunning the suburbs in favor of another type of community: exurbs. Despite being a relatively unknown term, exurbs represented the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the United States last year, and now they look primed to become a housing movement that's here to stay.

What's an exurb?

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.