Wilmington top metro area for inbound migration in 2024

Wilmington is the top metro area across the nation where people moved in 2024, and North Carolina ranks in the top five states for inbound migration in 2024. 

Wilmington saw 83% inbound migration, according to the United Van Lines Movers Study, released Jan 1st, making it the fastest-growing metropolitan statistical area (MSA)in 2024. Wilmington beat out South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach, which came in second for inbound migration with 80%. 

Several studies have also ranked North Carolina among the top five states for inbound migration in 2024. The study referenced above ranks North Carolina at No 5, beaten out by South Carolina at No 3, with West Virginia taking the top spot. Hickory, NC, came in at No 9 among the top MSAs for inbound migration, with 75%. Greenville, NC, was also ranked at No 11 at 74%, just barely beaten out by Sioux Falls, SD which took the No 10 spot, also at 74%. 

“The annual study highlights how economic disruptions, including inflation and a nationwide housing affordability crisis, are reshaping where and why Americans choose to move,” said Eily Cummings, VP of corporate communication for United Van Lines. “Movers are discovering that there are numerous cities and regions where they can achieve both economic relief and a rich, rewarding life experience.” 

According to data from the report of those moving to North Carolina, 20.30% did so for retirement. North Carolina also ranked No 7 amongst the top states to move to for retirement, beaten out by South Carolina coming in at No 3 and Delaware taking the top spot. 

United Van Lines has been tracking migration patterns on a state-by-state basis since 1977, and this is their 48th annual study.

According to the U-Haul Growth States 2024 report, released Jan 2, North Carolina is ranked No 3, slightly higher than in the previous study, beaten out by sister state South Carolina, taking the top spot. Florida comes in at No 4, and Tennessee takes the No 5, according to U-Haul. 

“The Carolinas are a great place to live,” said Jason Hardin, U-Haul’s area VP for the Carolinas and Georgia, told Fox News. “We have southern charm. We have a lot of history here. We got beaches. We have mountains. We have low cost of living.”

2024 saw a surge in inbound migration to the southeast, with both Carolinas and Arkansas seeing high inbound migration (55% or more). Also among the top metro areas for inbound migration was Little Rock, Arkansas at 57%. 

“State-to-state transactions from the past year reaffirm customer tendencies that have been pronounced for some time,” stated John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president. “Migration to the Southeast and Southwest continues as families gauge their cost of living, job opportunities, quality of life and other factors that go into relocating to a new state. Out-migration remains prevalent for a number of markets across the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast — and particularly California.”

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