Greenville, NC (February 24, 2021) - Greenville is catching the eye of the next generation of North Carolinians, ranking among the trendiest cities in the U.S. for Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2021) renters, according to date from rental website RENTCafe.

Greenville, the only college town in the ranking, saw the biggest spike in apartment applications submitted by Gen Z in 2020 — an 84% increase.  The study defined "college towns" as cities or towns where the percentage of out-of-town residents aged 18-24 is above 25% or the percentage of residents enrolled in college is above 25%, as per U.S. Census data.

"This small town of less than 100,000 residents, the only college town in this ranking, has established itself as a great community to live in and to launch a career," said RENTCafe researcher, Sanziana Bona.

Asked to provide an expert opinion on this trend, Jill Ann Harrison, a sociology professor at the University of Oregon, argues that economic factors are leading people to look at smaller, more affordable markets and see their potential.

"It is easier in these places for people to take risks to becoming small business owners and contributing to the local economy and culture," said Harrison.  "These smaller markets offer an opportunity for younger adults to not just live in a place, but to help create or contribute to it in meaningful ways.  In turn, many of these smaller cities have a truer sense of authenticity that is certainly serving as a pull."

She adds that one of the main benefits is that renters get more for their money in small and mid-sized cities, like Greenville, compared to what they do in larger areas or cities directly on the coast.



Nine of the 20 cities on the list were located in the Midwest, while eight Southern cities made the cut.  Durham was the only other North Carolina city featured in the top 20, ranking No. 10.

Contributing source: Greenville ENC Alliance