Rising home prices are reshaping rural towns across the U.S., with areas like Celina, Texas, experiencing a population surge. Once a small farming community, Celina is now America’s fastest-growing city, with its population jumping from 7,000 to over 43,000 in the past decade, according to Census data.
Many newcomers are drawn by cheaper land and more affordable housing compared to urban centers, but long-time residents are grappling with a loss of community and skyrocketing costs.
Developers are replacing farmland with master-planned communities, big-box stores, and chain restaurants. While newcomers, like Jasmine Hughes, find opportunities and affordable housing, locals like rancher Kelcey Kasper worry about losing agricultural land.
Officials project further expansion, with Celina’s population expected to top 100,000 by 2029, reflecting the complex trade-offs of growth.
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