9. Myrtle Beach Metro, SC: Up 2.6%
Up the coast from Charleston, Myrtle Beach has an economy driven by tourism—it attracts 14.6 million visitors every summer. Though nearly half the metro-area employment is in tourism-related industries and retail, other large employers are Blue Cross/Blue Shield and AVX Corporation, which manufactures electronic components. The area also has two hospitals, two airports, and 11 colleges and universities. The city’s latest growth mirrors longer term trends—its population grew 19 percent between 2000 and 2010. It’s also a destination for retirement-aged seniors and baby boomers.
