More people are moving to Charlotte than almost any other metro, U-Haul data shows
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Photo: Courtesy of U-Haul
The Charlotte area had the second-largest increase of U-Hauls coming here last year in the U.S., according to the rental company.
Why it matters: The migration data is further evidence that Charlotte is one of the top metropolitan areas where Americans are migrating.
The big picture: This is a sign that the city is healthy and thriving — even if some residents swear Charlotte is "full."
- Meanwhile, places like Illinois and parts of California are floundering over their shrinking populations.
What they're saying: "Most people who move worldwide move for work. Not everybody — some move for family reunification, quality of life, etc.," said Nathan Dollar, director of Carolina Demography, a team of population scientists at UNC Chapel Hill.
- Dollar attributes growth in Charlotte and the Triangle to younger people.
How it works: U-Haul refers to its Growth Index as "an effective gauge of how well states, metros and cities are attracting and maintaining residents."
- The moving company tracked over 2.5 million one-way truck, trailer and portable moving containers in the U.S. and Canada. U-Haul identified 25 metros with the largest net gains of customers moving last year.
- Three cities in North Carolina made the list. Texas has five.
Zoom out: Charlotte is behind Dallas for the top spot. Phoenix, Lakeland and Austin make up the rest of the leading five growth metros.
- Raleigh is seventh. Wilmington is No. 14.
- South Carolina surpassed Texas in the statewide ranking. North Carolina remains in the top five, along with other Sun Belt states Florida and Tennessee.
By the numbers: The Charlotte region is growing by 117 new people every day, according to recent research from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
- Many of our newcomers are coming from Virginia, New York and California.
The big picture: The U-Haul data is consistent with other trends captured by the Census Bureau, which regularly shows growth in Texas and Arizona.
- Another prominent trend: Suburbs just outside larger cities are growing fast, as is the case with Mecklenburg County municipalities such as Huntersville.