Hurricane Season is Here, and These Cities Are Facing Potential Long-Term Real Estate Losses

What happens to home prices and the value of land in cities frequently hit during hurricane seasons? The season itself typically begins in June and ends in November, and many cities are more susceptible to hurricanes than others. The Atlantic Basin, comprised of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, is where the majority of hurricanes that impact the United States are formed. But cities within the path of trade winds and jet streams are also more susceptible, as are ones with frequent tropical wave activity.

What does it mean to be a landowner in these places, and just how much damage do hurricanes cause in these regions? To determine the cities where hurricanes are wholly responsible for a drop in land value, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on natural hazard risk for U.S. census tracts, ranking cities based on their total historic loss ratio due to hurricanes from 1996 to 2019.

Data was aggregated from the census tract level to the place level using boundary definitions for 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau. Supplemental data on population is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Only cities with at least 25,000 residents were considered. Let's discover these 50 locations and their data now.

This post was updated on August 1st, 2025, to reflect additional information.

50. Norwalk, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.8%
Total population: 91,050

49. South Portland, ME

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.8%
Total population: 26,656

48. Norwich, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +0.4%
Total population: 40,054

47. Waterbury, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.8%
Total population: 114,480

46. Wilson, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.0%
Total population: 47,767

45. Pharr, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 3.9%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.0%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.5%
Total population: 79,434

44. Palm Coast, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +10.6%
Total population: 91,082

43. Salisbury, MD

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.8%
Total population: 32,960

42. Ormond Beach, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.6%
Total population: 43,127

41. Victoria, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.0%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.4%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.6%
Total population: 65,481

40. Lafayette, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.1%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.8%
Total population: 121,706

39. Summerville, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.1%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.5%
Total population: 50,839

38. Lake Charles, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.4%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +9.6%
Total population: 82,430

37. Huntsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +13.4%
Total population: 46,202

36. Goose Creek, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +11.7%
Total population: 45,858

35. Enterprise, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.7%
Total population: 28,513

34. New Bern, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +5.8%
Total population: 31,373

33. Beaumont, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.3%
Total population: 114,573

32. New Iberia, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -6.4%
Total population: 28,363

31. Mount Pleasant, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.7%
Total population: 90,945

30. South Bradenton, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.1%
Total population: 25,471

29. Pooler, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +16.8%
Total population: 26,264

28. Pensacola, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.6%
Total population: 54,059

27. Brownsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.7%
Total population: 186,999

26. Golden Gate, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.5%
Total population: 29,400

25. Fort Pierce, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +6.6%
Total population: 47,153

24. Gulfport, MS

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.7%
Total population: 72,524

23. Palm City, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +5.8%
Total population: 25,957

22. Merritt Island, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -5.7%
Total population: 34,300

21. Myrtle Beach, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +17.2%
Total population: 36,064

20. Wilmington, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.5%
Total population: 116,933

19. Mobile, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.0%
Total population: 186,316

18. Navarre, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +13.9%
Total population: 38,829

17. Lehigh Acres, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +6.5%
Total population: 124,440

16. North Port, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +23.1%
Total population: 76,975

15. Corpus Christi, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.5%
Total population: 317,804

14. Concord, NH

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.7%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.3%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.1%
Total population: 44,049

13. Hinesville, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.6%
Total population: 34,732

12. Panama City, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -6.6%
Total population: 34,254

11. Hilton Head Island, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -4.9%
Total population: 37,708

10. Port Charlotte, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +7.1%
Total population: 63,913

9. Jacksonville, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.4%
Total population: 71,908

8. Daphne, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.9%
Total population: 27,861

7. Houma, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.0%
Total population: 33,094

6. Wright, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.5%
Total population: 26,272

5. Vero Beach South, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +24.7%
Total population: 29,965

4. Torrington, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.3%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.2%
Total population: 35,510

3. Statesboro, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +8.3%
Total population: 33,185

2. Key West, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.9%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.0%
Total population: 26,078

1. Kingsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.9%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.4%
Total population: 25,265