Census data shows a 340% increase in permanent relocations to resort zip codes since 2020. Here's what that means for buyers entering these markets now.
The Numbers Behind the Shift
Between 2020 and 2025, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded a 340% increase in permanent address changes to zip codes classified as "resort" or "vacation" communities. This isn't a pandemic blip — it's a structural realignment of where high-income professionals choose to live.
The data is unambiguous. Remote work didn't just change how people work. It changed where they live. And the places they're choosing aren't suburbs with good school ratings. They're mountain towns, desert oases, and lakefront communities that used to be weekend destinations.
"We're seeing buyers who used to visit three weeks a year now asking about year-round water rights and fiber internet availability. The questions have fundamentally changed." — Regional market analyst, Coachella Valley
Which Markets Are Absorbing the Demand?
Not all resort markets are benefiting equally. The migration is concentrated in communities that offer three things simultaneously: natural beauty, infrastructure, and connectivity.
| Market | Population Growth (2020–2025) | Median Home Price Change | Remote Worker Share | |--------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------| | Palm Springs Metro | +18.4% | +42% | 34% | | Lake Tahoe Basin | +12.7% | +58% | 41% | | Scottsdale / N. Phoenix | +22.1% | +37% | 29% | | Park City / Wasatch Back | +15.3% | +61% | 38% |
The standout pattern: markets with strong year-round appeal are outperforming seasonal destinations. Buyers want communities they can inhabit twelve months a year, not places that shut down in the off-season.
The Infrastructure Factor
Early pandemic migrants learned a painful lesson — scenic views don't compensate for unreliable internet, limited healthcare, or two-hour drives to the nearest airport. The second wave of migration (2023–present) is more discerning.
What sophisticated buyers prioritize now:
- Fiber broadband availability — not just "high-speed internet" but verifiable symmetric upload/download speeds
- Healthcare proximity — specialty care within 30 minutes, not just urgent care
- Airport access — direct flights to major business hubs, ideally under 90 minutes from door to gate
- Cultural infrastructure — restaurants, arts, and community beyond the resort bubble
- Climate resilience — wildfire risk, water supply sustainability, and insurance availability
What This Means for Buyers Entering Now
If you're considering a resort community purchase in 2026, you're entering a market that has already absorbed five years of demand acceleration. But that doesn't mean opportunity has passed. It means the market has matured, and the approach needs to be more nuanced.
The opportunity zones
Markets where infrastructure investment is catching up to population growth offer the best value. Look for communities where the local government has approved — and funded — broadband expansion, hospital construction, or airport terminal upgrades. These are leading indicators of sustained livability.
The risk zones
Be cautious of communities where short-term rental regulation is tightening. Several resort markets are implementing strict STR caps, which can significantly impact property values for buyers who planned to offset costs with rental income.
The Long View
The Great Migration isn't reversing. Remote work adoption continues to climb, and the demographics driving resort community demand — high-income professionals aged 35–55 — are in their peak earning and buying years. The question isn't whether these markets will sustain demand. It's which specific communities within them will deliver the lifestyle, infrastructure, and long-term value that justify the investment.
The buyers who succeed in this environment are the ones who do their due diligence beyond the listing photos. They study water boards, attend city council meetings, and understand the difference between a community that's growing and one that's merely expensive.
Haven Bureau provides market intelligence across four premier resort communities. Our local experts can help you identify opportunities that match your lifestyle priorities and investment criteria.
