If you live in the U.S. South or West, chances are you live in or near one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, among the 15 cities or towns with the largest numeric population gains between 2017 and 2018, nearly half are located in the South, and six are in the West. Furthermore, although only 4% of all U.S. cities and towns had a population of 50,000 or more in 2018, these areas are home to more than 127 million Americans or 39% of the population. Quicken Loans recently compiled the U.S. Census Bureau's data of the fastest-growing cities with 50,000 or more in population to determine the areas with the largest increases by percentage growth and population growth. Find out which cities made these lists by clicking through the slideshow above. 

How does population size impact home insurance?

In a blog post, Kin Insurance explains that living in a densely populated area can impact home insurance in two ways: For starters, highly populated areas, such as cities, typically have higher construction and rebuild costs. Also, insurers consider an area's fire suppression capabilities when calculating home insurance rates. "Densely populated areas tend to require more capability (e.g., firefighters, fire hydrants, equipment)," says Kin. "Homes that are located near permanently staffed fire stations tend to have lower rates. This is more likely in densely populated areas." Population density also can influence neighborhood characteristics, which, in turn, can impact what a homeowner pays for insurance in that area. For example, claims frequency and severity can cause sky-high insurance rates for a neighborhood — the more claims, the higher the insurance rates. And where there are more homes, there's a higher likelihood that a claim will be filed. Crime rates also have an impact. According to the FBI, some factors that can affect the volume and type of crimes in an area include population density and degree of urbanization. In fact, FBI data from 2014 shows property crime, larceny-theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft rates per 100,000 inhabitants to be higher in metropolitan counties and cities outside urban counties than in non-metropolitan counties. Related: 

• These were the 10 most expensive U.S. ZIP codes in 2019
• The most expensive U.S. cities for renting a home
• Cities with the most overpriced homes in the U.S.