Carolinas Emerge as New Population Boom States

Affordability and Lifestyle Drive Growth in North and South Carolina

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:39am

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North Carolina drew a nation-leading 84,000 new residents from other states last year, while South Carolina posted the highest overall growth rate at 1.5%, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. This marks a shift from previous population booms in states like Florida and Texas, as the Carolinas become new hot spots for domestic migration.

Why it matters

Population growth brings more taxpayers, economic dynamism, and demand for goods and services. It also signals potential changes in the nation's political landscape after the next census in 2030, with certain states gaining or losing clout in Congress and the Electoral College.

The details

The appeal of Florida and Texas has dimmed, with domestic migration slowing in those states. Instead, the Carolinas are attracting younger people who can work remotely and want to live in areas with a lower cost of living, topographical diversity, and smaller big cities. North Carolina's growth is credited to high-paying jobs in banking and tech, while South Carolina had the highest overall growth rate.

  • In 2025, North Carolina drew a nation-leading 84,000 new residents from other states.
  • In 2025, South Carolina posted the highest overall growth rate at 1.5%.

The players

Michael Cline

North Carolina state demographer who credited the state's growth to high-paying jobs in banking and tech, as well as the topographical diversity and smaller big-cities compared to Florida and Texas.

Richard Doty

Research demographer at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida, who uses a different method than the Census Bureau to calculate growth, including electrical customer data.

Lloyd Potter

Texas state demographer who noted that the Texas economy has been growing, but conditions outside the state also influence the inflow of potential migrants.

Sabrina Morley and Steven Devereaux

A couple who sold their Tampa-area house, moved out of Florida, and landed outside Valencia, Spain, citing concerns over the cost of living, food quality, education, and political divisiveness in Florida.

Molly Best

Press secretary for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who noted that Florida had a significant influx of new residents during the pandemic and remains a top-ranked place to live.

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What they’re saying

“North Carolina is attracting younger folks because we have so many nice areas in North Carolina — the mountains and beaches and lakes in between — that we're benefiting from younger people who decided they can work from anywhere and would rather be in a nice area.”

— Michael Cline, North Carolina state demographer

“The cost of housing, in particular, is driving young people and retirees to other states. Also, insurance is higher in Florida than most other states.”

— Richard Doty, Research demographer, Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida

“If jobs are plentiful, living is affordable, and the overall quality of life is good, they will be less likely to move for an opportunity outside that community.”

— Lloyd Potter, Texas state demographer

“I had a pretty good childhood, but I don't think we'd be able to give our child the same quality of life because of the cost of living, food quality, and guns have become more prevalent.”

— Steven Devereaux

“We think where we are now, it's the best decision we could make to give any future children the best quality of life.”

— Steven Devereaux

The takeaway

The population boom in the Carolinas highlights a shift in domestic migration patterns, as people seek more affordable living, diverse natural amenities, and smaller urban centers compared to the previous population hubs of Florida and Texas. This trend could have significant political and economic implications for the affected states in the coming years.