U-Haul Growth States Of 2024: Where WI Ranks

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin ranks as the No. 22 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.

Wisconsin's neighbors had mixed performances, with Minnesota at 18, Iowa at 23, Michigan at 43, and Illinois at 45.

"I think people move to Wisconsin because it’s super outdoorsy with a lot of recreational activities available for spending time with their families," stated Shawn Odden, U-Haul Area District Vice President.

"A lot of companies have their headquarters in Wisconsin and help to drive the job local market. Some companies that bring people here are Menards, Kohls, Ashley Furniture, Kohler, Kwik Trip and Culver’s. Our goal at U-Haul is to service the needs of these growing communities and ensure they are resilient."

Wisconsin’s leading growth cities include Appleton, Brookfield, Hudson, Janesville, La Crosse, Madison, Manitowoc, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, Oshkosh, Racine, Schofield, Stevens Point, Sturgeon Bay and West Allis.

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.