New homes, new jobs: Why this Denver-area ZIP code is drawing movers

For Americans looking to move, the next hot neighbourhood may not be a bustling downtown or a long-established suburb. It could be a new community near an airport, where housing construction and jobs are bringing in a steady stream of residents.Aurora, Colorado's 80019 ZIP code, near Denver International Airport, has emerged as the most popular landing spot for movers in the US, according to the September edition of MovingPlace's Hottest ZIP Codes report, as reported by the New York Post.The ranking is based on 890,131 moves recorded in August and measures the number of newcomers a ZIP code attracts relative to its size.Aurora jumped from a tie for eighth place in the previous month's ranking to the top spot.New housing puts Aurora on the mapThe 80019 corridor is part of a relatively new area of Aurora, where master-planned communities including Painted Prairie and High Point have been adding homes.The typical home in the area is valued at $529,300, while the median household income is $129,154.Daniel Cobb, senior editor at MovingPlace, said the strongest moving activity was concentrated in places with substantial new housing construction or a steady flow of people relocating for work.“Aurora is a good example,” Cobb told the New York Post. “The 80019 suburban corridor is still relatively new, with a lot of housing being added around Denver International Airport.”He said lower land costs had helped keep rents and new-home prices relatively affordable compared with other parts of the Denver area.Military moves lift Kansas ZIP to No. 2Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, retained the second spot in the ranking for the second consecutive month.The Army installation on the Missouri River houses the Combined Arms Center and the Command and General Staff College. Its position on the list is linked largely to military relocations rather than people choosing the area as a lifestyle destination, according to Cobb.“Fort Leavenworth is heavily influenced by military moves,” he said, adding that the area's small population means routine movements of service members and their families can have a significant impact on its ranking.Cobb also noted that the effect can become more pronounced after the peak summer moving season, when activity in other locations begins to slow.Florida takes three of the top 10 spotsFlorida featured prominently in the September list, with three ZIP codes making the top 10.Port Saint Lucie's 34987 ranked third, helped by the large Tradition development. The area has attracted retirees and remote workers moving from the Northeast. Homes there have a median value of $430,100.Inlet Beach, a community along Florida's Highway 30A near Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, ranked fourth. It had the highest median home value among the ZIP codes in the top 10, at $947,700. Its return to the ranking was linked in the report to wealthy buyers purchasing vacation homes.Bradenton's 34211, which includes the growing Lakewood Ranch area east of Sarasota, ranked sixth. New construction has helped drive moving activity there, with homes valued at a median $601,300.Texas, Virginia and other markets make the listTexas had two entries, both in the Dallas-Fort Worth exurbs. Lavon's 75166 ranked fifth, continuing its recent appearances on the list, while Justin's 76247 entered the top 10 at No. 9. The Denton County community has seen developments such as Union Park emerge from former ranchland.Richmond, Virginia's 23230 ranked seventh after leading the national list in July. The renter-heavy West End area is near Willow Lawn.Downtown Hartford, Connecticut's 06103 debuted at No. 8, with office-to-apartment conversions contributing to activity in an area with relatively few full-time residents.Nashville's 37203, covering Midtown and Music Row, ranked 10th, with new rental towers attracting young professionals.Three ZIP codes that featured in the previous month's top 10 — Richmond's 23219, El Paso's 79908 and Nashville's 37228 — dropped out of the latest ranking.The September list highlights how new housing construction, employment-related relocation, military movements and new rental developments are shaping where Americans are moving, according to the report.Ready to Make a Smarter Property Decision? Build Your Legacy with TOI Homes.