A Southern town has become a boom town thanks to an influx of older Americans flocking to its bustling age-restricted community.
Georgetown, Texas is officially the fastest growing city in the country in part because of its affluent 55 and over community called Sun City Texas.
An analysis of Census Bureau data for cities with populations of at least 50,000 by The Wall Street Journal found that Georgetown has now been the top city for population growth for three years in a row.
Georgetown grew 11 percent in 2023, 14 percent in 2022 and 11 percent in 2021. The median age in the boomer-rich city is 44 — and roughly 27 percent of its residents are 65 or older.
Driving the massive population growth are vibrant seniors who move to Sun City for its vibrant social scene, which includes community theater, game nights, fitness classes, sports teams and more.
Home to approximately 15,000 residents on approximately 5,000 acres of land, the Texas community was established in 1994 when the Del Webb Company purchased the land
The Sun City Sassy Ladies (pictured) is a club focused on the love of dance and bringing joy to others that performs at care facilities around Georgetown
“I didn’t want to just go to an old community,” resident Betty Schleder told the Wall Street Journal.
Schleder, who is a keen skydiver in his 80s, moved to the city two decades ago. She has since met her 72-year-old new boyfriend and is thriving in the community.
“We’re not dead yet,” said Suzanne Herndon, 70, who moved to Sun City in 2021.
Home to approximately 15,000 residents on approximately 5,000 acres of land, the community was established in 1994 when the Del Webb Company purchased the land.
Construction began in October 1995 and by the spring of 1996, residents moved into the city.
The community association offers activities for residents, ranging from dance clubs, karaoke, arts and crafts, gardening, pickling, cooking and poker.
There are also activity groups for singles and couples – and the environment has been described as similar to the college experience, without having to go to class.
Pickleball club members play in a variety of tournaments and round robin competitions. Participants in a women’s night match in the photo
The Sun City Texas Community Association offers many activities for residents, including yoga classes (pictured)
Sun City offers groups for people to connect with their roots like interest group Born in Texas (photo)
Unlike their college-bound Gen Z counterparts, the groups of older Americans reaping the benefits of all that Georgetown has to offer have hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank to spend on their free time.
Nationwide, Americans over age 55 hold 70 percent of all family wealth. Sun City’s median age is 73, compared to the U.S. median of 39.
Photos from the community’s social media page show a range of children engaging in fun dance competitions, game nights as well as holiday parties.
Among Georgetown’s population, many have taken up renovating homes and classic cars as a hobby – while others have joined the computer club to improve their technology skills later in life.
The community also hosts pickleball tournaments as well as live entertainment, including a recent sold-out concert by a Beach Boys tribute band.
Nearly one-fifth of Sun City residents are veterans, the WSJ found, and most of them served during the Korean or Vietnam wars. About 90 percent are white.
Maria and Ottavio Arena moved from New York to be closer to their family, but remain connected to their hometown when they meet New York’s Sun City Club.
“We have more fun than our daughter,” Ottavio said.
The community often hosts events such as an ice cream social game night. Pictured are neighbors playing a game called Sequence
Georgetown, Texas is the fastest growing city in the country due in part to a massive 55 and over community
Nationwide, Americans over age 55 hold 70 percent of all family wealth. Sun City’s median age is 73, compared to the U.S. median of 39
Jim Ancmon, 67, who moved from the Chicago suburbs in 2016, said he was drawn to Texas for its lower taxes.
“I don’t think we were getting more for our money in Illinois,” Ancmon said.
Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder, who at 47 isn’t old enough to live in the Sun City, said he’s excited about the influx of new residents.
“It’s like they’re in college, except they don’t have to go to class and they have $3 million in the bank. It’s almost like a cruise ship on land,” Schroder said.