• Population: 1.5 million
• New residents: 24,500
• Percentage gain: 1.6%

Phoenix's fortunes -- both good and bad -- have been closely tied to those of the housing market over the past several years.

After the housing bust, foreclosures dominated the area for several years and unemployment jumped to more than 10%. Many of the jobs that were lost were in construction -- and people left the city to find work elsewhere.

And as the housing market recovers in Phoenix, hiring has picked up again, attracting new workers. In March, unemployment stood at 6.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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