Welcome to North Carolina

Your life in the Tar Heel State begins

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North Carolina Self-StorageReasons to Move to North CarolinaMoving to North CarolinaEconomic OutlookPlaces to LiveResources

Welcome to North Carolina

North Carolina is the 9th largest state with a population of 10.49 million people and is bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and the Atlantic Ocean. It's the 28th largest state in the nation by total area and has a rich history and several unique regions characterized by a few distinct landscapes, including coastal plains and mountains. North Carolina is filled with rivers, waterfalls, beaches, longleaf pine forests, and even swamps.

North Carolina's major industries include information and communications technology, automotive equipment, aerospace/defense/aviation, biotechnology and life sciences, and energy. Since forests cover almost 60 percent of North Carolina, timber is an important natural resource for the state, which allowed it to become one of the largest producers of furniture in the US. The Tar Heel State is known for being a major producer of sweet potatoes and Christmas trees, producing about 15 to 20 percent of the country's real Christmas trees.

Some of the state's top attractions include the Great Smoky Mountains, Chimney Rock State Park, Pisgah National Forest, Outer Banks, Emerald Isle, Blue Ridge Parkway, Whitewater Falls, Mile High Swinging Bridge, and Grandfather Mountain.

North Carolina Self-Storage Facts

The North Carolina self-storage industry has been on a tear recently, with new facilities being built around the state at a rapid clip. Why? Storage developers are racing to build new sites to meet demand. After the recession, enough funding for storage development wasn't available to keep up with the expanding population of the state. Storage rates rose and space became harder to come by for space-strapped residents. With construction financing bouncing back, many new storage facilities have been built to accommodate the growing population of people moving to the state. This trend has been taking place across the country, but Charlotte and the Triangle Region in particular have recently been among the top markets in the country for self-storage development.

Below is an overview of the current state of the North Carolina self-storage market:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in North Carolina:

1,773

North Carolina is home to about 1,773 self-storage facilities.

58,519,700

North Carolina self-storage facilities cover 58,519,700 square feet of storage space.

5.92

Pennsylvania storage facilities offer 5.92 square feet of storage per person, which is higher than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to North Carolina

North Carolina has plenty to offer both visitors and residents alike. So if you've been to the Tar Heel State before, but you're not sure if making the move is right for you, consider the following to help you make your final decision.

1

Warm weather. If you're looking to move to a state with warmer weather, North Carolina is a great place to consider due to its mild climate. Moving to the Tar Heel state means you get to experience all of the seasons - warm summers and somewhat cold winters mixed with chilly autumns and mild springs.

2

Authentic BBQ. You haven't had real vinegar-based BBQ until you've had it in North Carolina. It's home to some of the most amazing authentic BBQ you've ever tasted - both Eastern and Lexington style BBQ.

3

Foodies' paradise. The food scene in North Carolina has been ranked as one of the best and most progressive in the country so if you're a foodie, you'll love North Carolina for its diverse cuisines. You'll be in close proximity to restaurants that serve delectable southern-style food like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, biscuits and gravy, fried catfish, a barbecue tray, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and peach cobbler.

4

Affordable living. North Carolina is one of the most affordable states in the country with a cost of living lower than the national average. Some of the most affordable cities to live in North Carolina include Concord, Cary, Durham, Wilmington, and Chapel Hill.

5

Southern hospitality. Moving to North Carolina means you get to look forward to getting southern hospitality from just about everyone. North Carolinians are some of the friendliest people in the country.

6

Birthplace of Krispy Kreme. Got a major sweet tooth? You'll love that North Carolina is the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts. Vernon Rudolph opened the first Krispy Kreme in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

7

Art and culture. North Carolina has tons of art and cultural activities and events to keep you busy all year round, such as the Asheville Art Museum, Thalian Hall, Blue Ridge Music Trails, and the Biltmore Estate.

8

Gorgeous natural beauty. North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes, including breathtaking mountains and stunning beaches, which provides ample opportunity for an array of outdoor activities, like rock climbing, swimming, rafting, surfing, or wind-gliding.

9

Mixed lifestyle. Whether you're looking for big-city living or the laidback country life, North Carolina can offer both. Here, you'll get that small-town charm combined with easy access to the hustle and bustle of the city. You get the best of both worlds. North Carolina has a mix of diverse cities that are perfect for any type of person - beach bum, farmer, business executive. You get the picture.

10

Breweries. North Carolina has some of the best breweries in the country and is home to about 170, which means you'll be able to enjoy a quality beer with your favorite people anytime you want.

Moving to North Carolina

North Carolina is the 9th most populous state in the country and has a population of 10.49 million people as of 2019. Between 2018 and 2019, the state's population increased by 1.1 percent. U-HAUL reported at the beginning of the year that North Carolina dropped from seventh place in 2017 to 24th in 2018 for net migration. More people moved into North Carolina than left it in recent years and 2018 saw a slight decline in people moving into the state. The most common reasons for people moving into or out of the state include jobs, family, and retirement.

North Carolina Economic Outlook

North Carolina has a GDP of $565 billion as of 2018. North Carolina's economy is the 10th largest in the world. If it were a country, it'd have a similar GDP to Norway's ($513 billion) and it'd have the 28th largest economy in the world.

Currently, North Carolina's unemployment rate is 4.9 percent as of August 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is somewhat higher than the US national unemployment rate of 3.9 percent.

Below is a breakdown of the leading industries in North Carolina by real value GDP added:

$91.33 billion
Manufacturing
$88.88 billion
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing
$62.66 billion
Government and government enterprises
$57.11 billion
Professional and businesses services
$40.95 billion
Education services, health care, and social assistance

The economy in North Carolina is already strong and it's expected to continue to grow into the two largest metro areas, Charlotte and Raleigh. Both areas are poised for even more growth through 2020. Economists are reporting that North Carolina can expect more jobs and increased pay in the coming years. North Carolina has a cost of living score of 96.2, meaning the state is cheaper than the US average. That means moving to North Carolina could make living more affordable in terms of housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation.

Who are North Carolina's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Lowe's Companies
290,000
Bank of America
211,000
U.S. Trust
209,000
Compass Group
181,632
Total
98,280

Places to live in North Carolina

North Carolina is about 53,819 square miles and there are about 2.3 people per square mile. The largest cities in North Carolina include Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro.

Charlotte

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the country. The city was recently named a millennial hub and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. With a population of about 889,019 people, the city is filled with plenty to do and see, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Discovery Place Science Center, Freedom Park, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and Carowinds.

Cost of living
5 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$230,300
Average rent
$1,243 per month
Average apartment size
944 square feet

Raleigh

Raleigh is North Carolina's second-largest city with a population of 464,758 and boasts 16.8 million visitors each year. The city has a distinct art scene, which includes Broadway shows and original plays performed in outdoor theaters. Raleigh also has more than 9,000 acres of parkland, a nationally-acclaimed greenway spanning more than 180 miles, and almost 1,300 acres of water, which means ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, walking, swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, boating, and more.

Cost of living
5 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$280,300
Average rent
$1,208 per month
Average apartment size
958 square feet

Greensboro

Greensboro is North Carolina's third-largest city, with a population of 284,816 people. Located in Guilford County, Greensboro was rated the 10th best place to live in the US by Niche.com because if its diversity and its suburban feel, but also because of the great weather and the numerous activities available, including parks, museums, art galleries, kayaking, and canoeing and attractions like the Carolina Film and Video Festival, the Greensboro Children's Museum, and Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe.

Cost of living
10 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$148,700
Average rent
$908 per month
Average apartment size
937 square feet

Moving to North Carolina Resources

All North Carolina Cities