Welcome a New Generation of Boomtowns: Climate-Ready Cities

A new generation of boomtowns is emerging, triggered by climate change. Billion-dollar climate disasters — 55 in the United States over the last two years alone — are reshaping America’s map of human and corporate settlement. As cities in coastal areas or regions prone to wildfires, hurricanes, heat waves, and water shortages spark climate-related migration, cities in regions with milder climates, freshwater abundance, and resilient infrastructure beckon.  

Amid this shift, a new class of cities is emerging: the climate-ready boomtown. As pioneers in helping communities create and adopt climate-resilience strategies at Climate Resilience Consulting, Robert Macnee and I spent the last several months determining what American cities stand to benefit most economically from rising climate migration. We term them “future boomtowns.” 

A number of cities in the Midwest and Great Lakes region stand to benefit the most from climate-positive attributes, according to our research. These future boomtowns are preparing for climate migration with thoughtful planning, investment, collaboration, and climate-resilient infrastructure advances that signal their ability to absorb climate migrants without economic strain or social disruption. 

Employers are taking note, as more of them mull where to locate future facilities and whether to relocate existing facilities or even their headquarters. In a recent survey of 300 senior executives, 75 percent reported their companies have considered relocating or have moved facilities because of climate-related concerns.

For instance, repeated flooding and hurricanes in several regions are prompting more companies to consider migration. Employers in wildfire-prone regions like California and drought-prone areas such as Arizona, New Mexico and California are chief among them. 

Indeed, climate change is reshaping entire industries. The insurance sector is most notable. Insurers are raising premiums, adjusting their policies, and even exiting states registering a growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. And as AI interest explodes and new data centers proliferate, communications services companies are choosing locales with access to water, clean power and cooling facilities. 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise, South Carolina-based Roper St. Francis Healthcare, and Spirit Airlines are among companies that have relocated after incurring damages from extreme weather events. 

We have identified a half dozen Midwestern and Great Lakes cities that offer a rare combination of resilience, resources and opportunity: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Duluth, Minneapolis, Indianapolis and Madison. With abundant fresh water, moderate climates, and robust infrastructure, these cities are redefining what it means to thrive in a changing world. Their community leaders, urban planners, and local innovators are setting the stage for a future where migration isn’t a crisis but a catalyst for growth. 

Six hallmarks serve as the blueprint of a climate-benefitting city. Here’s how these cities are distinguishing themselves. 

Scalable housing and infrastructure. Minneapolis updated its zoning policies and adopted land-use strategies to permit more multifamily housing that increases density but prevents sprawl. The city enjoys a robust public transportation system, and programs like Green Cities Accord (formerly Green Minneapolis) underscore its commitment to sustainability, making it an increasingly attractive destination. 

Economic integration and workforce development. Buffalo actively markets itself as a climate haven, with workforce development initiatives aimed at attracting newcomers and filling labor gaps. Public-private partnerships also support local hiring and business development for several of our boomtown candidates. 

Social cohesion and community engagement. Duluth has actively discussed welcoming climate migrants, recognizing the benefits of population growth and fresh economic opportunities. 

Climate-resilient design and green infrastructure. Madison invests in green infrastructure to improve resilience, including permeable pavement and urban tree canopies — areas shaded by trees. 

Strong public services and health systems. Indianapolis has invested in expanding its public transit system and other infrastructure to support its rising population. These efforts seek to strengthen the downtown core and build a framework for regional multimodal transportation. 

Data-driven planning and governance. Cincinnati is using sophisticated forecasting tools to determine how climate change influences migration patterns and to adapt its policies to improve housing and infrastructure. 

All of the cities benefit by planning proactively for migration. In particular, their preemptive and strategic investments in the economy, housing, and community integration make them attractive to climate-weary employers.    

As America adapts to a changing climate, these cities of tomorrow stand as beacons of possibility — places where resilience meets opportunity and the promise of a better future is built not just on necessity, but on vision. These future boomtowns are turning climate migration into a story of renewal, not loss.