U-Haul Migration Trends: Kamloops Tops Canadian Growth Cities of 2016

Feb 6, 2017

Kamloops headlines the list of Canadian Growth Cities as U-Haul presents its 2016 migration trends reports.

The central British Columbia city, with its picturesque location along the Thompson River and a population nearing 90,000, climbed six spots from its 2015 ranking to become the U-Haul No. 1 Canadian Growth City for 2016. Toronto held that distinction for 2015.

Growth cities are calculated by the net gain of arriving one-way U-Haul trucks over departing one-way U-Haul trucks for a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 1.7 million one-way U-Haul truck rental transactions that occur annually.

Reserve U-Haul trucks and trailers, self-storage, moving supplies and more at facilities near you by visiting uhaul.com/locations. Find additional U-Haul migration reports at myuhaulstory.com.

“U-Haul migration trends data is among the most sought after in the industry because it is the most comprehensive, dotting the map in more places with more equipment and reaching more customers than anyone else,” U-Haul Executive Vice President Stuart Shoen says.

Kamloops: Friendliest City in B.C.

Kamloops saw 55.2 percent of U-Haul truck rental customers coming into the city as opposed to 44.8 percent leaving last year. There was a 16-percent surge in arrivals in 2016 compared to 2015. Departures also rose 7 percent as overall U-Haul traffic increased.

“Kamloops is considered a very affordable option for people looking for full city living without being in a metropolitan area,” Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar says. “We have a well-diversified economy. There’s been a push in tech jobs, education and health care jobs. People are moving here, and U-Haul provides an option for them. U-Haul gives people the option to move on their own time while saving money.”

U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities: Kenna Cartwright Park- Tourism Kamloops

Kenna Cartwright Park in Kamloops, the U-Haul No. 1 Canadian Growth City of 2016. Courtesy of Tourism Kamloops

Kamloops is known as B.C.’s friendliest city and lays claims to the title of Canada’s Tournament Capital for sporting events with its high-end facilities. It is home to major employers such as the Interior Health Authority, Highland Valley Copper Mine and Thompson Rivers University.

Ontario Cities Dominate List

Nineteen of the top 25 U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities are in Ontario, including the next seven cities after Kamloops. Five B.C. cities are represented. Halifax is the lone city outside B.C. or Ontario to make the list.

Ottawa is the largest growth city on the list at No. 10. U-Haul locations there saw 50.7 percent of truck rental customers coming into the city as opposed to 49.3 percent leaving in 2016. Overall U-Haul traffic increased considerably in Ottawa as arrivals rose 14 percent and departures rose 13 percent year-over-year.

Top 25 U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities

1.      Kamloops, B.C.
2.      Belleville, Ont.
3.      Guelph, Ont.
4.      Gravenhurst, Ont.
5.      North Bay, Ont.
6.      Parry Sound, Ont.
7.      Woodstock, Ont.
8.      Trenton, Ont.
9.      Chilliwack, B.C.
10.   Ottawa, Ont.
11.   Midland, Ont.
12.   Strathroy, Ont.
13.   Chatham, Ont.
14.   Kingston, Ont.
15.   Vernon, B.C.
16.   Orillia, Ont.
17.   St. Thomas, Ont.
18.   Penticton, B.C.
19.   Peterborough, Ont.
20.   Halifax, N.S.
21.   Huntsville, Ont.
22.   Nepean, Ont.
23.   Simcoe, Ont.
24.   Merritt, B.C.
25.   Elliot Lake, Ont.

U-Haul is the authority on migration trends thanks to its expansive network that blankets all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The geographical coverage from more than 21,000 U-Haul locations provides a comprehensive overview of where people are moving like no one else in the industry.

While migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, U-Haul growth data is an effective gauge of how well cities are attracting and maintaining residents.

What They are Saying

“Kamloops is a very beautiful, affordable place to live. It has Riverside Park, a world-class ski resort and the right mix of big-city and small-town feel. There’s no shortage of activities in one of the sunniest cities in Canada.” — Horace Martin, U-Haul Company of British Columbia president

“Being a capital city, Ottawa sees a lot of movement. It is home to Parliament Hill, which brings new jobs and residents every year. Ottawa has museums, the government buildings and 35 major festivals a year. It’s one of the most family-oriented places I’ve been. They do it right.” — Claude Boucher, U-Haul Company of Western Quebec president, whose territory includes Ottawa

“Belleville is thrilled to be on the U-Haul top migration list for 2016 as it reflects the busy, growing community we represent. Belleville’s small-town charm and big-city amenities have allowed us to be a community of choice for those looking to balance their income potential with an enviable lifestyle. … The city provides tremendous employment opportunities and its affordable quality of life really offers everyone the opportunity to live their best life. With an average home price of $258,000, everyone has the opportunity to own a piece of this great community.” — Belleville Mayor Taso A. Christopher

View the top U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities for 2015 by clicking here.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Humble Design San Diego Helping 500th Family Escape Homelessness

Humble Design San Diego Helping 500th Family Escape Homelessness

Turning empty residences into furnished homes in San Diego County since 2018, Humble Design has a 98% effectiveness rate for their clients breaking the cycle of homelessness Humble Design, a U-Haul charity partner since 2016, is about to celebrate a milestone that is...

An Intern’s Account: Participating in the 21st Annual Pat’s Run

An Intern’s Account: Participating in the 21st Annual Pat’s Run

U-Haul® Public Relations intern Kailash Garcia-Delaney experienced his first Pat’s Run on April 12 in Tempe, Ariz., one of many Team Members to do so as part of the Company’s ongoing sponsorship of the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Tillman Scholars program. Here is...

U-Haul Offers Flood Relief across Greater Cincinnati and Louisville

U-Haul Offers Flood Relief across Greater Cincinnati and Louisville

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at 21 facilities in southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana to residents impacted by severe flooding in the region. The Ohio River crested above 60 feet due to recent storms,...

U-Haul Volunteers Pack 2,700 Emergency Food Boxes at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Pack 2,700 Emergency Food Boxes at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Team Members came together and packed over 2,700 emergency food boxes on March 1 at the St. Mary’s Food Bank warehouse in Phoenix. The food boxes help provide nutritious options for families, children and seniors facing food insecurity across the Valley and...

U-Haul of Rock Springs Store Receives Beautification Award

U-Haul of Rock Springs Store Receives Beautification Award

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Rock Springs (Wyo.) received the Pride of Place Award on Feb. 27 for its commitment to the beautification of the city and its contributions to the overall appearance of Rock Springs. Paige Moore and Paul Johnson accepted the award at the...

Storm Recovery: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage at 366 Centers

Storm Recovery: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage at 366 Centers

U-Haul® has made 366 Company stores available to help storm victims with 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage after a powerful weather system produced deadly tornadoes, fires, flooding and wind damage across a line of states Friday through...

Disaster Relief: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage in Oklahoma

Disaster Relief: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage in Oklahoma

Three U-Haul® Companies in Oklahoma have made 16 centers available to provide 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents affected by the wildfires and windstorms that wreaked havoc Friday across the Sooner State. Extreme winds sparked an...