Best Cities for 25-30 year olds? (schools, university, live in)

[radraja]

We all know the "youngest" cities (college towns), but what about the age demographic 5 to 10 years older?

I know there are plenty here in Vegas, but aside from that, which cities have the most 25-30 year olds? (Doesn't have to be statistical. Personal perception is fine as well.)

[soothsayer1234]

I've lived in Austin, and I would say that would be at or near the top of anyone's list. The students stay, and age in place, per the large number of 25-30 year olds. Add the tech influence, and Austin is tops

[ogre]

I'm thinking that along with the late teens and early 20's crowd, you'll also find a lot of older young adults in college towns, as well as larger cities with plenty of colleges. I live near Boston, and there seem to be a lot of young professionals. Part of the reason seems to be that people who go to college there stay in the area after they graduate. Two other qualities that I would guess draw young adults to Boston are the general perception that it's a fun and vibrant city, and the local economy's emphasis on professional-sector industries. The first of these two characteristics draws people throughout the younger age range, including older younger people, while the second attracts a lot of young professionals.

If you think of cities with a vibe, this would fit most large cities to a degree, but I'd guess you'd find an especially large representation of people in their 20's and 30's in NYC, D.C., San Fran, Chicago, DFW, L.A., Atlanta, and Seattle.

I don't know the demographics, but one city many people might not think of right away which I'm guessing might have a surprising number of people in this age range is Columbus. It has several colleges, including a major university, and the kind of healthy white-collar economy that will keep a lot of those students in the area after they graduate.

[streetcreed]

Columbus has one of the youngest average populations in the US (31), this is not counting college students who do not live in the city year around. So if you factor that in, having the largest university in the US and 11 other schools, Columbus has a VERY large number of young people in its city limits and metro.