30 Fastest-Growing Retirement Destinations

Retirement looks different than it did a generation ago -- or, heck, even a few years ago. Today’s retirees aren’t just searching for a place to slow down and improve their golf game; rather, they’re looking for affordable living, lower taxes, quality healthcare or simply just a lifestyle that helps their retirement savings go as far as they do.

From sunny coastal communities to budget-friendly inland hotspots, the fastest-growing retirement destinations are attracting seniors with a variety of compelling factors. MoneyLion recently studied up on just what cities are growing in popularity as retirement destinations.

Also See: How Long $1M in Retirement Savings Will Last in Every State

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Key Findings 

• Florida reigns supreme with 11 cities in this ranking. The Sunshine State, to no one’s surprise, has a stronghold on retirement destination popularity. 

• Only three cities on this list have a total population over 100,000 people, which could indicate retirees are aiming for more small-town vibes than big-city energy. 

• Five cities on this list have retirement populations (those age 65 or older) higher than 30% of the total population, making them somewhat dense retirement communities. 

If you're searching for a few of the most bodacious and booming retirement havens in 2026, look no further. Here is an exploration of 30 of the fastest-growing retirement destinations in America, ranked by growth in the 65-and-older population over the last five years.

1. Wildwood, Florida

• Total population: 17,608

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 47.0%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 16.0%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 256.1%

2. Bluffton, South Carolina

• Total population: 33,157

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 24.6%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 28.3%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 149.9%

3. Goodyear, Arizona

• Total population: 107,645

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.0%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 15.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 68.0%

4. Leland, North Carolina

• Total population: 29,607

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 28.4%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 16.0%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 61.0%

5. Englewood, Florida

• Total population: 20,091

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 60.1%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 56.9%

6. Vero Beach South, Florida

• Total population: 30,344

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 30.2%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 48.0%

7. Eagle, Idaho

• Total population: 32,855

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 24.3%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 9.4%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 46.8%

8. North Port, Florida

• Total population: 84,605

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 27.7%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 6.7%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 46.1%

9. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Total population: 19,855

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 41.6%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 10.3%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 45.3%

10. Kaneohe, Hawaii

• Total population: 37,355

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 25.7%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.1%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 39.7%

11. El Dorado Hills, California

• Total population: 51,026

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.8%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 37.8%

12. Mesquite, Nevada

• Total population: 22,059

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 46.8%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.6%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 36.5%

13. Annapolis, Maryland

• Total population: 40,720

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.4%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 5.6%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 36.0%

14. Merrillville, Indiana

• Total population: 36,476

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.7%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 0.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 35.9%

15. Galveston, Texas

• Total population: 53,424

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.9%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.1%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 35.4%

16. Poinciana, Florida

• Total population: 75,068

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.5%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 10.5%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 34.8%

17. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

• Total population: 56,447

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.4%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 3.9%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 34.2%

18. Holyoke, Massachusetts

• Total population: 37,813

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 20.1%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.8%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 33.5%

19. Port St. Lucie, Florida

• Total population: 232,491

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.8%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.1%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 30.4%

20. Kendall West, Florida

• Total population: 35,912

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.0%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 8.5%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 30.1%

21. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Total population: 38,371

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 23.7%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 3.6%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 29.3%

22. Prescott Valley, Arizona

• Total population: 49,179

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 29.9%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.4%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 29.3%

23. West Palm Beach, Florida

• Total population: 122,290

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.5%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 8.0%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 28.7%

24. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

• Total population: 49,568

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 26.8%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 6.7%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 28.5%

25. Grand Junction, Colorado

• Total population: 68,142

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.0%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.5%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 26.8%

26. Daytona Beach, Florida

• Total population: 78,992

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 22.5%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 9.5%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 26.7%

27. Peachtree City, Georgia

• Total population: 39,576

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.0%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 7.7%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 26.4%

28. Pensacola, Florida

• Total population: 54,036

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 21.3%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 2.2%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 26.1%

29. Hilo, Hawaii

• Total population: 50,404

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 22.7%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 4.6%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 25.5%

30. Fort Myers, Florida

• Total population: 95,051

• Percent of population aged 65 and older: 23.2%

• 1-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 8.3%

• 5-year change in percent of population aged 65 and older: 25.1%

Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed cities with at least 7,500 people age 65 and over AND a share of the population aged 65 and over greater than 20%. Population numbers for 2019, 2023, 2024 were sourced from the U.S. Census 5-year American Community Survey. To qualify for this study, the city had to have a 65+ population that outpaced total population growth in both one- and five-year periods, have positive growth in the 65+ population over both time frames, and have a positive change in the percent of the total population aged 65+ in both time frames. For the final ranking, only the five-year percent change in population was taken into consideration. All data is up to date as of June 29, 2026.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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