Water is precious to the 8000 residents of this town in central Utah, as it is to so many similar places in the arid Intermountain West. Town history attributes Salem City's 19th-century founding to its location as a suitable spot for damming up a local spring to create a pond, which is still the centerpiece of the town.

Just north of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the community of Huntertown boasts the second-fastest growth rate in the state, with no sign of slowing down. An easy commute from the city, attractive neighborhoods and good schools have helped skyrocket its population to nearly 7,000 residents in recent years.