Charlotte’s in-migration performance underscores its role as a demand engine, not merely a beneficiary of statewide growth.
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.
National Ranking and Scale
- In 2025, the Charlotte metro posted a #4 national rank for net inbound household moves in U-Haul’s dataset — ahead of many larger, established markets.
- This placement reflects real relocation decisions captured throughout the year.
Economic Pull
Charlotte’s job base — anchored by finance, corporate services, and logistics — is a clear magnet for working professionals seeking stability and career growth.
Who’s Moving
Inbound movers tend to be working-age households relocating for career opportunities and relatively stronger cost of living. These populations commonly rent before homeownership and prioritize urban amenities with accessible services.
Real Estate Read-Through
- Workforce housing demand grows with new labor market entrants.
- Neighborhood retail benefits from increased density and daily consumption needs.
- Employment-driven moves are inherently supportive of occupancy stability and consistent spending patterns.
Bottom Line
Charlotte’s migration performance isn’t about hype; it’s a data-verified inflow of households with real earnings and real spending needs. For investors focused on demand-backed fundamentals, this trend aligns with durable real estate performance.
Phil Neari, CPM, is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and has been active in the commercial real estate and property management business for over 30 years. He holds the prestigious Certified Property Manager designation (CPM) awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Texas. Phil is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Phil is Broker in Charge of our Winston-Salem office and oversees property management and leasing activities. He also provides advisory services to select buyer and tenant representation clients as well as identifies potential investment and development properties.