Independent datasets confirm an unmistakable trend: North Carolina remains a top U.S. destination for inbound household moves in 2025.
We track migration data closely because population in-migration is a direct demand signal for housing and local retail. For a broader explanation of why this matters for real estate investing, see Why Population In-Migration Matters for Real Estate Investing in North Carolina.
Key Migration Findings
- U-Haul ranked North Carolina #3 among states for net inbound one-way moves in 2025, trailing only Texas and Florida.
- HireAHelper reports 675,473 inbound moves with a net gain of 47,761 people, placing NC top five nationally on that measure.
Who’s Moving Here
Data shows that the majority of inbound households are working-age adults — particularly Gen X and millennials — with incomes clustered around middle-income brackets. Most are relocating from other Sunbelt and Southeastern states.
What This Means for Real Estate
- Workforce housing demand is structurally supported by incoming working households.
- Neighborhood retail demand rises where everyday spending and population density increase.
- The migration patterns reinforce demand fundamentals, not speculative headline growth.
Bottom Line
North Carolina’s inbound trends are real, current, and widespread across economic cohorts, not projections or expectations. For capital allocators focused on demand-based real estate, this reinforces the state’s macro attractiveness.
Eddie Coleman, CCIM, is the Principal Investment Officer at NC Capital Group. With over 40 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate in North Carolina and South Carolina, his experience spans multifamily, retail, office, historic adaptation, etc. In addition to advising clients and brokering transactions, he has extensive knowledge of North Carolina through experience in corporate site acquisition, development, capitalization, HUD financing, etc. He holds the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.