U.S. metro area hot spots

Visa economists leverage VisaNet and partner data to rank the fastest-growing U.S. metropolitan areas. The rankings are based on a series of economic indicators, including consumer spending, credit availability, and employment to give you a realistic view into the health and vitality of metro areas–essentially, the triggers that cause an area to "boom" or "bust."

Based on data from the fourth quarter of 2015, the top three U.S. metro area hot spots are: 

1. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Increased credit access and the top job growth in the nation propelled the Coeur d’Alene Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) to the top spot, up from fifth place just six months ago. 

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

Employment growth, tourism and improved credit access among consumers helped lift Las Vegas two spots to the second-ranked MSA. 

3. Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is ranked third, falling one position since the last ranking. Nashville’s strong performance is due largely to job growth—unemployment was below 4 percent in January 2016. 

These top three fastest-growing metro areas and the rankings of the largest U.S. metro areas are shown in the interactive map. Complete rankings of all ~350 metro areas and drivers of these rankings are available to Visa clients.

How U.S. metro area hot spots is assembled

The U.S. metro area hot spots ranking, published biannually by Visa Business and Economic Insights, is based on the growth of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in each of the following categories (as of the fourth quarter of 2015):

• Retail spend: Consumer spending
• Employment: Employment that is not related to agriculture
• Credit population: Credit-eligible population           
• Credit activity: Consumer use of credit 
• Home equity: Value of home ownership
• Previous Hotspot rank: Hot spot ranking of metro area in the second quarter of 2015

Sources: VisaNet, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Transunion, and CoreLogic.

How cities are ranked

MSAs are ranked according to performance in each category as of the fourth quarter of 2015, with lower numbers representing faster growth. Category rankings are calibrated and analyzed for a final overall ranking.

The previous overall rankings are also shown and are based on data as of fourth quarter 2015. Data from Transunion and CoreLogic are used in the construction of these rankings.

Additional U.S. metro area hot spots

For the complete list of U.S. metro area hot spot rankings and the economic indicators driving them, such as retail spending and credit growth, please email us at [email protected]. Full rankings are available only to Visa clients.

About Visa Business and Economic Insights

Visa Business and Economic Insights, part of Visa Performance Solutions, provides actionable intelligence about the evolving global economy, including timely insights into consumer spending and the payments industry that help position clients for success.

Notes and Disclaimers

The U.S. metro area hot spots publication is based in part on a sample of aggregated, depersonalized Visa transaction data analyzed utilizing a proprietary economic and statistical model and is not reflective of Visa operational and/or financial performance. U.S. Metro Area Hot Spots is provided on an “as is” basis without any warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, without limitation, as to the accuracy of the data or the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and/or non-infringement. U.S. Metro Area Hot Spots is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa is not responsible for your use of the information contained herein, including errors of any kind, or any assumptions or conclusions you might draw from its use. The U.S. Metro Area Hot Spots report is as of the publication date, and Visa has no obligation to update the data contained therein.