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The New Sunbelt

Beyond the old north to south migration, Frey calls the New Sunbelt ?the American suburbs.? It has 13 states and while it contains only about 20% of the population, it includes the states growing the fastest by domestic migration. These areas are particularly growing in young adults and retiree populations. Also in this region, the fastest growing areas are suburbs, exurbs and smaller metro areas. States in the New Sunbelt include AZ, CO, DE, GA, ID, NC, NV, OR, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA...

Each region has different predominant characteristics. Don’t assume that an approach that works well in one region will work equally well in another.

New Sunbelt States
As Frey suggests, these states are the most “suburban” in mindset. Churches using the strategies pioneered over the last 20 years in suburbs could do well.


Additionally there is opportunity to plant churches targeting seekers, gen-x adults, and retirees.


An opportunity may exist to plant new churches in smaller metro areas. In many cases, the largest churches in smaller metro areas are relatively new churches.

Very interesting article. Find your region and think through the implications for you and your church.

[Listening to: Who Needs Sleep? - Barenaked Ladies - Stunt (3:44)]