15 Places That Are Swarming With Retirees

Once the kids are grown and savings are large enough, millions of Americans retire and leave home to spend their golden years somewhere else.

Recently, SmartAsset looked over data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 1-year American Community Survey to reveal which cities gained the most residents 60 and older during 2021.

Following are the cities that are swarming with retirees.

15. Tampa, Florida

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 727

Florida has always been a hotspot for retirees, but Tampa has become a little more expensive for newcomers lately. The city is among the “10 Places Where Home Prices Have Skyrocketed Since the Pandemic.”

14. Nashville, Tennessee

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 773

If Nashville is calling, now might be the time to respond. The city is among the “10 Places With the Most Home Sellers Slashing Prices.”

13. Norman, Oklahoma

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 784

Retirees who want to use their newfound free time to pursue more education might find Norman to be an attractive place for relocation. The city is home to the University of Oklahoma.

12. St. Petersburg, Florida

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 789

The Gulf Coast city of St. Petersburg is located in Pinellas County, which is one of “The 10 Best U.S. Counties for Retirees in 2023.”

11. Peoria, Arizona

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 807

Residents of Peoria can enjoy Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which attracts boaters, anglers and even those who love scuba diving.

10. Raleigh, North Carolina

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 830

Until recently, Raleigh’s housing market was on a tear. That might be why the city is among the “12 Places With More Million-Dollar Homes in 2023.”

9. Jacksonville, Florida

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 843

If you decide to move to Jacksonville and purchase new digs, it helps if your pockets are deep. Jacksonville is among the “10 Places Where Many Homebuyers Pay All Cash.”

8. Miami

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 947

Some people want a quiet retirement. Others want to live it up.

If you are in the latter camp, consider Miami, which ranks high on the list of the “15 Most Glamorous Cities in the U.S.”

7. Frisco, Texas

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 960

Want to spend your retirement lounging by your own private body of water? Frisco, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, is among the “15 Best Cities to Own a Swimming Pool.”

6. Wilmington, North Carolina

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 992

If you are looking to retire in a smallish coastal city with Southern charm, Wilmington could be a top candidate. The city is just two hours from Raleigh, which also made this list.

5. Boise, Idaho

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 1,098

Boise home prices have skyrocketed in recent years. But things look a bit better now for new residents, as the city is one of the “10 Pandemic Boomtowns Where Housing Now Is Cooling.”

4. North Las Vegas, Nevada

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 1,107

Health-conscious retirees will be glad to know that they won’t be rolling the dice when trying to stay hydrated in North Las Vegas. The metro is among the “18 Best Cities for Water Quality.”

3. San Antonio

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 1,164

Retirees who buy a home in San Antonio shouldn’t worry too much about a housing crash. The city is one of the “15 Housing Markets That Are Most Likely to Keep Their Value.”

2. Henderson, Nevada

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 1,602

If you want to live in a vibrant, growing community, Henderson might be a good choice. The Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise area is one of the “The 15 Fastest-Growing Metro Areas in the U.S..”

1. Mesa, Arizona

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this city gained in 2021: 3,629

Retirees who do not want to buy a home might want to consider Mesa. It made the roll call of affordable places for tenants in our story “In Only 10 Big Cities Is Rent Actually Affordable.”