PHOENIX, Ariz. - North Carolina solidified its position as a top growth state in the U.S., moving up one spot to claim the third position in the U-Haul® Growth Index for 2023. This marks the fourth time in the past five years that North Carolina has ranked among the top 10 growth states.

According to the U-Haul Growth Index, which analyzes one-way customer moves, the number of one-way U-Haul customers arriving in North Carolina experienced a slight decline of 1% from the previous year. However, departures decreased by nearly 2%, indicating a slowdown in overall moving traffic.

The influx of do-it-yourself movers accounted for approximately 51% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in and out of North Carolina, contributing to its status as a leading growth state.

Among the cities driving North Carolina's growth, Charlotte, Wake Forest, Wilmington, and Asheville emerged as the top growth markets. Notable net-gain cities also include Garner, Greenville, Sanford, Chapel Hill, Gastonia, and New Bern.

Kay Church, President of U-Haul of West Charlotte, highlighted the diverse appeal of North Carolina, stating that people are drawn to the state's scenic mountains, beautiful beaches, and a range of urban and rural areas. Church also emphasized the affordability of living in North Carolina and the kind, community-oriented nature of its residents.

The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled based on the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks, trailers, and U-Box moving containers into a city or state compared to departures from that location in a calendar year. The migration trends data is derived from over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul customer transactions annually throughout the United States and Canada.

Texas and Florida secured the top spots in the growth state rankings, with South Carolina and Tennessee rounding out the top five. In contrast, California experienced its fourth consecutive year in 50th place, reporting the largest net loss of one-way U-Haul customers.

While the U-Haul migration trends cannot be directly linked to population or economic growth, the U-Haul Growth Index provides valuable insights into the ability of states and cities to attract and retain residents.

North Carolina's consistent presence among the top growth states underscores its allure as a destination offering a mix of natural beauty, affordability, and a strong sense of community.