It would be a no-brainer to think that millennials would want to flock to the Big City – NYC or LA – or some other large hip and happening city like Austin, Texas or Denver, Colorado. But when they want to start settling down, many are opting for the quieter life – but where there are still plenty of career opportunities.
At least that's one of the main take-aways from Ellie Mae's most recent list of the cities where millennial borrowers represented the highest percentage of homebuyers, shown on its Millennial Tracker.
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The list is based on the percentage of closed home loans by millennial borrowers born between the years 1980 and 1999, which were initiated by Ellie Mae's Encompass® all-in-one mortgage management solution. The most recent list draws upon the latest data available, from July 1 through September 30 (new data is updated on the first Monday of every month for two months prior).
Here are the top 10 cities on Ellie Mae's list, with a little insight as to why these cities might appeal to young adults, such as major employers and attractions that can enhance the quality of life in these locales.
No. 10: Bowling Green, Kentucky
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 47 percent
Average age: 28.6
Average loan amount: $158,989
Bowling Green is developing a more knowledge-based, technology powered economy, and is also a commercial center, according to CityTownInfo.com. The city is home of Fruit of the Loom, Houchen's Industries, MedioArts.com, Camping World, SCA and Holley Performance Products. The major employers for the region are Commonwealth Health Corporation, Western Kentucky University and the Warren County Board of Education. In addition, Bowling Green was ranked 14th in Forbes' list of "Best Small Places for Business."
Sitting in the center of the city is an urban nature reserve known as the Lost River Cave and Valley. Home to 130 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, the spacious cavern once housed both Union and Confederate soldiers. Today, floating tours are offered at the underground site.
Historic downtown square is near to a multitude of properties listed on the National Register, including the Riverview at Hobson Grove historic house museum, the Kentucky Museum and Library, and several Civil War landmarks. Other area attractions include Barren River Imaginative Museum of Science, Historic L&N Depot and Railpark, National Corvette Museum, Aviation Heritage Park, Fountain Square Park, Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon Fort Webb, and Shaker Museum at South Union.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Bowling Green is 61,617, the median age is 28, the median income is $35,604 and the median home value is $141,300.
No. 9: Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 47 percent
Average age: 29.1
Average loan amount: $152,146
Beaumont and adjacent Port Arthur are part of the "Golden Triangle" petrochemical and industrial complex, and the petrochemical industry is the area's primary economic sector, followed by rice processing, shipbuilding, and prison facilities, according to CityTownInfo.com.
Beaumont's major employers include Cai LP, Exxon Mobil Oil Corp., Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, Baptists Hospitals of Southeast Texas, and Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Beaumont is117,676, the median age is 34, the median income is $40,992 and the median home value is $98,000.
According to the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, major employers include Port Arthur Independent School District, Motiva Enterprises LLC refining group, CHRISTUS St. Mary Hospital, Valero Refining Group, Walmart, The Medical Center of Southeast Texas,
City of Port Arthur, Total Petrochemicals USA Inc., Sitel Call Center, and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Port Arthur is 54,864, the median age is 33, the median income is $32,863 and the median home value is $64,600.
No. 8: Ottumwa, Iowa
According to Elie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 49 percent
Average age: 27.9
Average loan amount: $84,968
Ottumwa, Iowa is a center for manufacturing food and food ingredients, beverages and plastics, and is home to JBS Pork, Dr. Pepper/Snapple, Plastipak, John Deere, Cargill Corn, Ajinomoto and the Iowa Bioprocessing Center, according to the Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation.
Attractions include the Airpower Museum, American Gothic House Center, Des Moines River Water Trial, Historic Hills Scenic Byway and numerous museums, according to the Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Ottumwa is 24,758, the median age is 36, the median income is $38,570 and the median home value is $72,300.
No. 7: Mankato/North Mankato, Minnesota
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 49 percent
Average age: 29.2
Average loan amount: $161,842
Mankato is a center for health care and education, according to Greater Mankato Growth. Major employers include Mayo Clinic Health System, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato Area Public Schools, MRCI, Saint Peter Regional Treatment, Cambria, Gustavus Adolphus College, Monarch Healthcare, Le Sueur Inc. and Mankato Clinic.
The area's attractions include many historical homes and museums, vineyards, orchestras and theatres, and many parks, hiking and mountain biking trails, ski and snowboard lifts, according to CityTownInfo.com.
Mankato is also home to some popular annual events and festivals, including April's International Festival, The Hickory Street Ribfest in August, the Mankato Mdewakanton PowWow in September, and The Deep Valley Book Festival in November.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Mankato is40,557, the median age is 26, the median income $41,425 and the median home value is $152,600.
No. 6: Odessa, Texas
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 50 percent
Average age: 29.5
Average loan amount: $178,706
Odessa, Texas is No. 110 on Forbes' Best Small Places for Business and Careers and No. 3 in Job Growth. Major industries are energy and education and top employers include Saulsbury Cos., Halliburton, Walmart, Weatherford and the Odessa Regional Medical Center, according to the Odessa Development Corporation.
For quality of life, there is Ratliff Ranch, which offers golf with views of the surrounding West Texas plains; Floyd Gwin Park with multiple recreational choices; Comanche Trail Park, with a 3.5-mile trail system; Memorial Gardens; "A-list" live music performances and a "world-class" performing arts center.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Odessa is 111,330, the median age is 31, the median income is $59,337 and the median home value is $115,900.
No. 5: Dickinson, North Dakota
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 51 percent
Average age: 29.1
Average loan amount: $225,945
Dickinson is not only on top of the Bakken Formation with an estimated 3 to 4.3 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil, it's also home to Dickinson State University and a gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, according to Livability.com.
The city also has a good public parks system along with many fishing and outdoor adventure choices, and boasts of the Dakota Dinosaur Museum and the Joachim Regional Museum Every year, the city hosts several festivals, including the Northern Plains Heritage Festival, the Ukrainian Festival and the Stark County Fair, according to CityTownInfo.com.
The current population of Dicksinson is 21,097, the median age is 34, the medican income is $71,144 and the median home price is $208,000, according to CityTownInfo.com. The city has also been named on Livability.com's Top 100 Best Places to Live, Top 100 Best Small Towns and 10 Best Small Towns.
No. 4: Aberdeen, South Dakota
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 52 percent
Average age: 28.6
Average loan amount: $150,958
Aberdeen's major employers include 3M Co., Avera St. Luke's, Bethesda Home, Hub City, Inc. and Kessler's Inc., according to AberdeenSD.com. The city is also home to Northern State University and Presentation College, and outdoor recreation opportunities include lakes, hiking trails, golf courses and winter skating rinks. There's also the Aberdeen Community Theatre, annual South Dakota Film Festival, and Saturday night dirt track racing six months a year at the Brown County Speedway, according to Livability.com.
According to CityTownInfo.com, the current population of Aberdeen is 27,418, the median age is 35, the median income is $47,290 and the median home value is $136,200.
No. 3: Cumberland, Maryland
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 55 percent
Average age: 27.9
Average loan amount: $131,185
Cumberland is regarded as a regional business and commercial center Western Maryland, according to CityTownInfo.com. Coal mining, manufacturing and outdoor recreation are significant economic factors in the Cumberland area, and Western Maryland Health System is the largest employer.
Quality of life is high in the area, according to the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. There are four state parks in close proximity to Cumberland, 76 miles of bike trails along the C&O Canal and the Great Allegheny Passage, numerous trout streams, and fishing on Lake Habeeb and the Potomac River. The Cumberland area also boasts of numerous museums and historical sites.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Cumberland is 20,449, the median age is 41, the median income is $30,275 and the median home value is $88,900.
No. 2: Lima, Ohio
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 56 percent
Average age: 28.1
Average loan amount: $100,932
Top employers in Lima, Ohio include Ford, P&G, Regional Dynamics, MetoKote, Bob Evans, DTR, St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima Memorial Health System and SpartanNash, according to The Allen Economic Development Group. Moreover, the area boasts of Ohio State University, Ohio Northern University, Bluffton University and Apollo Career Center.
The top things to do in Lima include Allen County Museum, Veterans Freedom Flag Monument, Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit, Lippocott Bird Sanctuary, as well as parks, golf courses and hiking trails, according to the City of Lima.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Lima is 38,232, the median age is 33, the median income is $29,922 and the median home value is $67,800.
No. 1: Williston, North Dakota
According to Ellie Mae:
Loans closed by millennial borrowers: 65 percent
Average age: 29.7
Average loan amount: $221,036
Williston is located on top of the Bakken Formation, which covers parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan and has an estimated 3 to 4.3 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil. So naturally, a key industry is oil and gas, but millennials can also find jobs in alternative energy such as wind energy and biofuel production and research, not to mention work in the railroad industry, higher education, and agriculture, according to the Williston Economic Development Office.
While the prolonged plummet in oil prices has dampened hiring in the oil and gas industry, Williston is by no means the "ghost town" that national media-types want to proclaim, managers of the city's "Command Center" tell Bakken Today. Kyle Tennessen, the facility's manager, greets about three to six new jobseekers daily, and the town is continuing to grow.
According to Livability.com, the current population of Williston is 22,051, the median age is 32, the median income is $90,171 and the median home value is $199,700.
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Katie Kuehner-Hebert
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.
