Move over Beverly Hills, 90210. The ZIP codes 02176 (Melrose, Mass.), 43085 (Worthington, Ohio) and 58103 (Fargo, N.D.) have pushed past one of the nation’s most recognizable postal codes and 32,000 others across the U.S. to top realtor.com®’s list of 10 Hottest ZIP Codes for 2015.
ZIP codes making the list, announced recently by realtor.com®, are distinguished by healthy housing dynamics, strong local employment and neighborhood “it factors.” Realtor.com®’s hotness ranking is determined by the time it takes properties to sell and how frequently homes are viewed in each ZIP code.
“Each locale on this list is emblematic of the key trends driving housing this year – healthy local economics, job opportunities and affordability,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®. “For first-time home buyers, these communities provide great opportunities to enter the housing market, build a career, and raise a family; older generations are able to build wealth and enjoy a variety of lifestyles.”
High Demand, Fast-Moving Supply
In each top-ranked ZIP code, supply and demand are about five times stronger than the rest of the country. Homes in these communities sell four to nine times faster than the national average, with days on market 45 percent, or 20 days, lower than their respective metropolitan statistical areas. Centennial, Colo., has the nation’s lowest median age of inventory, with homes selling in approximately two weeks. Listings in each area are viewed three to eight times more often than overall U.S. listings, and an average of 2.3 times more often than their respective metros.
More Money, More Jobs
Income and employment are also contributing to the strong housing markets in these ZIP codes. Median household income among the Top 10 is $71,000, 20 percent higher than their surrounding metropolitan statistical areas and 32 percent higher than the national average of $54,000. Moreover, the share of households earning $100,000 or more is 32 percent, 22 percent higher than their respective markets and one-third higher than the national average of 23 percent.
Unemployment rates in these metros have dropped five times faster than other metros in the country in just the last year. Detroit and St. Louis are the only metros experiencing unemployment rates above 5 percent. ZIP codes on this list have an average of 22 percent lower unemployment than their surrounding metro areas.
Strong Markets for Millennials
Each of the neighborhoods on this list provides favorable conditions for millennials considering a home purchase. The median income of people ages 25-34 years old in these ZIP codes is 26 percent higher than their respective metros, and 50 percent higher than the national average. In half of these areas, millennials earn 35 percent more than other age groups in the same ZIP code. Novi, Mich., the St. Louis suburb of Crestwood, Mo., and Columbus suburb, Worthington, Ohio, rank high in affordability, with the median household able to afford 60-70 percent of the inventory on the market.
“Choosing a neighborhood to call home is not just a product of economic factors; it’s an intensely personal decision,” stated Smoke. “Non-economic ‘it factors’ such as strong school systems, short commutes and access to public transportation, as well as close proximity to shopping and restaurants also play an integral role in each market’s popularity.”
For more information, visit www.realtor.com.
