• Population: 26,771
• 1-year growth*: 6.5%

Located on the southern edge of the Bakken formation, Dickinson is going through similar growth as Williston.

In fact, out of all metro areas -- large and small -- last year, Williston is the only place in the country where the population grew faster.

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Here, too, the influx of job seekers has left the city short on housing. Rents have nearly doubled in three years, with two-bedroom apartments going for $1,600 or more a month.

The number of building permits for single-family homes, more than quadrupled in 2012. "Usually, winter halts construction," said city administrator, Shawn Kessel. "But we've had two pretty mild winters in a row and construction never did stop."

NEXT: Andrews, Texas