Keep in mind Atlanta is projected to have its population grow by 25% by 2030 according to this one article I read up on that had strong references. 

Kittitas County's population in 2021 was 45,499.

Per this NY Times article, the average American knows around 600 people.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/science/the-average-american-knows-how-many-people.html#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20knows%20about,do%20you%20know%20named%20Kevin%3FPer the US Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 time in their life, which based upon an approximate lifespan of 84 years, works out to be about every 7 years.https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html#:~:text=Using%202007%20ACS%20data%2C%20it,one%20move%20per%20single%20yearSo, if the average American knows 600 people and they each move about every 7 years, that means that the average American knows around 85 people that move in any given year.How many of those moves do you want to be involved in?

Columbus has lots of job opportunities and population growth.

Does anyone in the Houston area know of an investor(s) that have a unique niche/client population in that they mainly deal with leasing their properties to individuals with a criminal backgrounds? 

People are moving out this way as Charlotte becomes more densely populated and expensive. 

The population has been growing here year over year over the last decade, it is home to The Ohio State University which has over 50,000 students that live here along with those that visit, and it also holds a diverse range of young professionals and traveling nurses to fill the demand of the multiple business corporations and hospitals stationed here.

For appreciation Phoenix has diminishing returns, I believe investors still have reason to be optimistic when looking at population growth at an all time high vs.

You aren't going to change the population's mind, neither is the left wing or right wing journalist.

Boomers possess the largest share of real estate wealth in the country (~45%) despite representing ~28% of the population.