“Podunk – a small, unimportant, and isolated town” Merriam Webster English Dictionary
According to the US Census Bureau, small towns (<5,000 residents) and small cities (5,000 – 10,000 residents) have been growing in population since 2010. The main attraction to Podunk Living (small town living) is a lower cost of living, and availability for people to work remotely. Many small towns also offer appealing factors like quality public education, technology access, and an optimal work-life balance. Millennials represent the largest population relocating from the big city to various podunks (but real towns) in the middle of nowhere America. This is likely due to them approaching the age of raising children, and re-prioritizing their day to day work-life balance. A life in Mayberry (the famous mythical small town) has become very appealing to new and young families.