SC city named top moving destination in US. Southern cities dominated for new residents
One South Carolina city joins the ranks of most moved-to cities in the United States, with the South ruling the list.
Myrtle Beach was named the fifth U.S. Growth City of 2024 by U-Haul, with the top four cities located in either Florida or Virginia. The No. 1 city was Ocala, Florida.
In 2024, 53% of U-Haul traffic was entering Myrtle Beach while 47% was exiting. The number of people coming and going to the city dropped in 2024 as the population growth slowed slightly.
“Myrtle Beach started off more as a vacation home spot, but then the whole city started to grow and become more than a beach community. It has basically developed into a full city,” said Matthew Mccoy, U-Haul Company of Southern Atlantic Coast president.
In the past 15 years, the Myrtle Beach population has boomed, according to U.S. Census data. It went from around 27,000 people in 2010 to 35,000 in 2020, which is a 32% percent growth.
The coastal city has become a retirement destination, with almost a quarter of the population over the age of 65, The Sun News reported. Being a hot spot for retirees helps bring in permanent residents as retirees are less likely to move again.
Myrtle Beach’s mild weather, ocean proximity and affordability helps it consistently rank as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Overall, Southern cities and metros dominated as places where people are bringing one-way U-Haul equipment, the release said. The top metro areas were Dallas and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The top 10 Growth Cities
- Ocala, Florida
- Fredericksburg, Virginia
- Kissimmee, Florida
- Lorton, Virginia
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- College Station, Texas
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Tukwila, Washington
- Johnson City, Tennessee
- Foley, Alabama
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM.
