Civil Engineer (PE in TX, MS) here, with a lot of background in transportation engineering (airfields) and Land Development. 

This population growth can lead to an increase in demand for housing, which can drive up property values.Infrastructure: The Emerald Coast has invested in infrastructure such as roads, airports, and public transportation, which can make it easier for people to live and work in the area.

Yes, personal responsibility has a role but a society that is designed to keep people on the edge and a government that fails to provide the very basics of safety, health, education and transport in many neighborhoods is a larger factor.

Alcohol, petrol, food, transportation... stuff you know that people will always need.

Ease of transport.

I am not a stock guy but, anything that has to do with automated transportation seems like a great stock to get into now.

@Ken Minard I live in Lubbock tx, here it really depends on the part of town. 5 to 10 mins can transport you to a different economic experience/opportunities.

Great restaurants and bars, the best view of NYC from the waterfront, great access to transportation, including a 15 min drive to Newark Airport (once we do that again).

I will say that most jobs were in that suburban dead zone midway between Worcester and Boston (acton, Franklin, Medway) and you had to have reliable transportation. 

Personally, I use the Starbucks monitor for towns with predominantly traditional single-family house neighborhoods and driving as the main mode of transportation.