Remote work was once a rarity that was allowed only in the most progressive companies and limited to workers in certain roles. Even where it was allowed, it was often restricted to a day or two each week.
Now, that’s all changed. While remote work may not ever be fully adopted by all organizations, it’s more widespread than ever.
The impacts of all of this have been widespread. Organizations that offer remote options are often better able to recruit talent. Workers certainly benefit from the flexibility of remote work. There have also been impacts that haven’t been fully measured yet. One of these is geographical.
Before the near-universal adoption of remote work, people usually had to live where they worked or within commuting distance. Now, workers can live virtually anywhere. That has the potential to change the geographical landscape of the nation. But will it?
This article will explore Zoom towns, whether there’s a Zoom town boom or not, and whether remote work will save rural towns in America.
What Is a Zoom Town
The term Zoom town is a play on the term boomtown. This term was a phrase that referenced the sudden population growth that towns experienced during the oil boom of the early 20th century. Boomtown also refers to cities that were created as a result of these population “booms.”
A Zoom town is a city, usually not too far from a major city, that has grown in population since the pandemic made remote work so popular. Zoom, in this case, is a nod to the popular video conferencing software.
Can any Town be a Zoom Town?
It will take time to fully identify which cities truly become Zoom towns. However, there seem to be some common traits among them. These include:
- Reasonably close to a large city or metro area
- Lower property costs and cost of living than nearby big cities
- Desirable school districts
- Closer to natural areas such as state parks
One example of a Zoom town is Bellevue, Washington.
In some cases, vacation or resort communities are seeing an increase in population as well. For example, The Hamptons and Truckee, CA, are experiencing a bit of a population boom. However, it is important to note that these communities are generally close to larger metro areas.
This proximity makes sense. It’s much less risky and disruptive to move to a place where you might spend a long weekend, or that is a day’s drive away than it is to move to some exotic locale.
This relocation allows people the ability to work remotely, live in an area that appeals to them, and still be available to go to the office occasionally if that’s what the remote work policy dictates.
Is There a Zoom Town Boom?
Things need more time to shake out before this can really be called a boom. It will be interesting to look back in a year or two to see if the population in these towns is permanently impacted.
For now, there are definitely measurable changes. That’s something businesses might keep in mind when they decide how and where to target workers.
Is There a Downside to These Zoom Towns?
Unfortunately, there may be. As more people move into these outlying areas, housing costs could rise. That’s a problem considering that we haven’t emerged from the last housing crisis. It may also become increasingly difficult to find housing.
Additionally, many small towns don’t have the infrastructure to support a population explosion. There’s also the risk of regret. People may find that these cities with idyllic scenery and a simple life aren’t really where they want to live in the long run.
Will Remote Work Decimate the Population in Major Cities?
Like everything else, time will tell if remote work leads to a significant, permanent population drop in major cities. However, it does appear as if population rates are dropping in “super cities” like New York and Los Angeles.
This decrease may not be permanent, though. The pull of urban agglomeration, such as the clustering of tech industries in specific geographical areas, may keep businesses in large cities.
For example, Silicon Valley isn’t likely to relocate, even if some people decide to leave the San Francisco metro area. This resilience could ultimately cause people to feel the need to stay in or return to major metro areas.
How will Remote Work Impact Small Rural Communities?
Remote work will probably not have a significant impact on small rural communities. The exception to that may be rural communities within a reasonable distance of larger cities. Those may experience a population increase.
However, as much as people may talk about moving back home or to “the country,” most aren’t doing that. It’s similar to people moving to exotic locations.
Some do, but not enough to have a meaningful impact. This reluctance is likely due to the lack of infrastructure, increased commute, and decreased access to resources that have led professionals away from rural areas in the first place.
How will Population Shifts Impact Recruiting?
Smart brands will consider these changes when they plan their recruiting strategies. Remote work is already a big selling point, but a company that doesn’t require any office presence at all may be desirable to people who want to live a significant distance from urban centers.
Additionally, companies may be able to attract quality applicants by offering perks such as reimbursing the cost of renting coworking spaces. This approach could allow people to work remotely while also having access to technology and resources. It also helps to create a positive remote work culture.
