San Antonio among fastest-growing American cities

Growth attributed to job opportunities, low cost of living

SAN ANTONIO – According to a new report released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, San Antonio takes one of the top spots for fastest-growing cities in the nation. In fact, people are moving here by the thousands every year.
"People don't relocate to cities unless there's opportunity," said Mario Hernandez, president of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. "And there are job opportunities here. Last year, we added 20,000 new jobs. We're going to see that pattern continue, and that attracts people."
According to the report, San Antonio was fourth in the nation for cities with largest population growth. Other major metropolitan cities in Texas also making the list include Houston, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth.
Hernandez attributes the growth to opportunity and low cost of living.
"To have job opportunities to come here, and yet you're going to live in a Metropolitan area that is 12 percent below all the other major cities," Hernandez said. "So it's a very attractive combination for us."
While San Antonio is currently the seventh-largest city in the country, Hernandez said don't be surprised to see even bigger growth in the future.
"If we continue to invest in ourselves, invest in the infrastructure, invest in our people, then there's no reason we can't continue to be an economic success and continue to climb that ladder," Hernandez said.
The report is based on census numbers from July 2011 to July 2012.

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