Wilmington and the greater Cape Fear region continue to show up on the radar for people relocating to North Carolina, according to newly released migration data from U-Haul.
Each year, U-Haul publishes its Growth Index, which examines where people are moving by analyzing one-way truck and trailer rentals across the country. These rentals provide a snapshot of where customers are leaving—and where they are settling—based on real-world moving activity rather than surveys or estimates.
In the latest report, North Carolina once again ranked among the fastest-growing states in the nation, placing third overall. It’s a familiar position for the state, which has held the No. 3 spot for three consecutive years, signaling sustained interest from people relocating from other parts of the country.
So how does Wilmington factor into that trend?
Wilmington’s place in North Carolina’s growth
Within the state, the largest metro areas—Charlotte and Raleigh—continue to attract the highest number of incoming residents. However, Wilmington isn’t far behind. According to the U-Haul data, the Wilmington metro area ranks third in North Carolina for growth, trailing only those two major cities.
That momentum extends beyond the state level. Nationally, Wilmington placed 26th among U.S. metro areas for growth based on one-way U-Haul moves, indicating that interest in the area reaches well beyond the Carolinas.
U-Haul officials note that the Growth Index isn’t a direct measure of population increases or economic performance, but rather a useful indicator of how successful cities and regions are at attracting and retaining residents year over year.
Why people are choosing North Carolina
While the report does not pinpoint a single reason for North Carolina’s popularity, several factors are commonly cited. Favorable weather, a relatively lower cost of living compared to many coastal and metropolitan areas, and access to well-regarded public universities all continue to make the state appealing to newcomers.
For coastal communities like Wilmington, additional lifestyle factors—such as proximity to beaches, a historic downtown, and a growing food and arts scene—likely play a role in drawing interest from people looking for a change of pace.
Signs of a slowdown, but not a reversal
Although Wilmington continues to see more moves coming in than going out, the most recent data does suggest that growth moderated somewhat in 2025.
According to U-Haul spokesperson Jeff Lockridge, the Wilmington area still posted a net gain in one-way moves last year, but not at the same pace seen previously. In fact, Wilmington dropped from 14th nationally in 2024 to 26th in 2025.
Looking specifically at the city of Wilmington, one-way arrivals declined by about 10% in 2025, while departures fell by roughly 6%. The result was a smaller net gain than in prior years, indicating that while people are still moving in, the gap between arrivals and departures narrowed.
Importantly, this data reflects only a single year of moving patterns and doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term shift.
Long-term growth still expected
Despite the year-over-year slowdown, long-range planning suggests the region’s growth story is far from over. New Hanover County’s comprehensive plan, Destination 2050, projects that the county’s population could increase by nearly 50% between 2020 and 2050.
Taken together, the data points to a region that remains highly desirable—even as growth naturally ebbs and flows. For Wilmington and the surrounding Cape Fear communities, the trend still points toward continued interest from people looking to call the coast home.