“石油小城”房价何以未跌反涨

Core Viewpoint - The real estate market in Dingbian County is experiencing significant price increases, contrasting sharply with the declining market in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province [2][3][4]. Group 1: Price Trends - Dingbian County's new housing prices have risen over 25% in three years, with average prices exceeding 5000 yuan per square meter by October 2025, compared to less than 4000 yuan per square meter in 2022 [2][4]. - In contrast, Xi'an's second-hand housing prices have dropped by 10.1% year-on-year as of September 2025, with a nearly 25% decline over three years since reaching a peak of approximately 16,000 yuan per square meter in mid-2022 [3][4]. Group 2: Economic Factors - Dingbian County is recognized as a major oil and gas production area, contributing significantly to its local economy, with proven oil reserves of 1.618 billion tons and natural gas reserves of 300 billion cubic meters [4][5]. - The local economy heavily relies on the oil industry, which supports the demand for housing despite being a relatively small county with a population of around 360,000 [4][5]. Group 3: Demand Drivers - The demand for housing in Dingbian is driven by two main buyer categories: those purchasing for marriage and those seeking properties in desirable school districts [5][6]. - The influx of families moving from rural areas to the county for educational opportunities has created additional housing demand, contributing to sustained price increases [5][6]. Group 4: Market Sentiment - There is uncertainty about the sustainability of the current price increases, with some local residents expressing concerns that the rapid price growth may not be sustainable in the long term [6][7]. - The limited number of new housing projects in recent years has led to a scarcity of available properties, which has further fueled price increases [7].