U-Haul Growth States Of 2024: MN Climbs 2 Spots, Beats Neighbors

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota ranks as the No. 18 growth state of 2024, according to U-Haul Growth Index data, which tracks one-way customer transactions over the past year.

U-Haul determines its rankings based on each state’s net gain or loss of one-way equipment from customer transactions throughout the calendar year.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes climbed two spots from its 2023 ranking, maintaining a place in the top 20 growth states for six consecutive years. U-Haul arrivals in Minnesota increased by nearly 3 percent, while departures rose by 2 percent.

"Suburban communities around the Twin Cities metro region are growing rapidly. There is a strong employee base here that appeals to a lot of big companies," said Kellin Sybrant, U-Haul Area District Vice President.

"Despite the winters, Minnesota is an attractive place to live because we get to experience all of the seasons. There is outdoor recreation throughout the state, especially up north. Our schools are also top notch, which makes this a great place to raise a family. Northern Minnesota is growing rapidly. Brainerd, Baxter, Duluth and Alexandria are just a few areas where I see growth. People moved there during COVID when they could work remotely, either to their cabin or they bought a cabin. And now they’ve decided to stay up there."

Minnesota’s standout growth cities include Apple Valley, Bemidji, Blaine, Bloomington, Brainerd, Brooklyn Park, Elk River, Ely, Grand Rapids, Hermantown, Lakeville, Mankato, Park Rapids, Plymouth, Ramsey, Rochester, Shakopee, and St. Paul.

Minnesota's neighbors all performed slightly worse on the index, with South Dakota ranked at 19, followed by Wisconsin at 22, Iowa at 23, and North Dakota at 31.

On the national level, South Carolina rises three spots to surpass Texas as the top growth state, with North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee completing the top five for 2024.

California remains in 50th place for the fifth consecutive year, experiencing the largest net loss of one-way U-Haul customers.

Oklahoma, Indiana, and Maine saw the most significant gains compared to last year, while Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico experienced the steepest declines, according to U-Haul.

2024 U-Haul Growth States, with 2023 growth rankings in parentheses:

1. South Carolina (4)
2. Texas (1)
3. North Carolina (3)
4. Florida (2)
5. Tennessee (5)
6. Arizona (8)
7. Washington (7)
8. Indiana (27)
9. Utah (13)
10. Idaho (6)
11. Oklahoma (41)
12. Arkansas (17)
13. Maine (31)
14. Ohio (23)
15. Georgia (18)
16. Alabama (22)
17. Virginia (10)
18. Minnesota (20)
19. South Dakota (19)
20. Vermont (12)
21. Delaware (15)
22. Wisconsin (26)
23. Iowa (24)
24. Montana (21)
25. Kentucky (29)
26. Hawaii (25)
27. Alaska (34)
28. Missouri (28)
29. Nebraska (35)
30. West Virginia (30)
31. North Dakota (32)
32. Kansas (33)
33. New Hampshire (40)
34. Oregon (37)
35. Nevada (11)
36. Wyoming (14)
37. New Mexico (16)
38. Rhode Island (36)
39. Mississippi (39)
40. Colorado (9)
41. Connecticut (42)
42. Maryland (44)
43. Michigan (46)
44. Louisiana (45)
45. Illinois (48)
46. Pennsylvania (38)
47. New York (43)
48. New Jersey (47)
49. Massachusetts (49)
50. California (50)

U-Haul points out that its rankings might not always match up with population or economic growth, but it believes the U-Haul Growth Index is a solid way to measure how well states and cities are attracting and keeping residents.

Check out past U-Haul Growth rankings here.