Ohio is the No. 4 growth state in America, according to U-Haul® data analyzing migration patterns from 2020.
Tennessee edges Texas, the leading growth state from 2016-18, and Florida, the No. 1 growth state for 2019, for top honors on the new U-Haul chart.
Ohio has been among the top 15 growth states each of the past three years, and the No. 4 ranking is the Buckeye State’s highest mark since it was third for growth in 2015.
Growth states are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving that state during a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck-sharing transactions that occur annually.
Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina and Georgia round out the top 10 growth states, creating a 2020 stronghold for the Southeast and Southwest regions in attracting do-it-yourself movers (with Ohio being an exception to that trend).
California slides one position to 50th as the state with the steepest out-migration – or the largest net loss of U-Haul trucks crossing its border. New York ranks 42nd. Illinois is 49th.
Ohio Growth Data
People coming to Ohio in one-way U-Haul trucks increased 8% during the past year, while departures rose 7% from 2019. Arrivals accounted for nearly 50.4% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in Ohio during 2020 to make it the No. 4 state for netting DIY movers, rising three spots from its previous ranking.
Ohio’s leading growth cities include the Columbus suburb of Worthington, Athens, Cleveland, Springfield, Youngstown and Huber Heights. Other notable net-gain cities are Cleveland Heights, Elyria, Canton and Miamisburg.
While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the Company’s growth data is an effective gauge of how well cities are attracting and maintaining residents.
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 22,000 U-Haul truck- and trailer-sharing locations provides a comprehensive overview of where people are moving like no one else in the industry. Find local U-Haul stores and neighborhood dealers at uhaul.com/locations.
As an essential service provider, U-Haul has remained open throughout the COVID-19 outbreak while offering contactless programs and enhanced cleaning protocols, including added steps for sanitizing equipment between customer transactions. U-Haul products are used daily by First Responders; delivery companies bringing needed supplies to people’s homes; small businesses trying to remain afloat; college students; and countless other dependent groups, in addition to the household mover. Visit uhaul.com/announcement for more information on how U-Haul keeps its customers and Team Members safe.
What They’re Saying About Ohio
“I’m not surprised by Ohio’s ranking this year given the investments within metro areas. Additionally, suburbs have continued to see growth. There is a large demand for housing since there has been a housing shortage in the last five years. Builders continue to develop all over the state. U-Haul is adding on to existing facilities and purchased several new locations to compete with the strong self-storage market and increased equipment needs here. Some of the suburbs around Columbus are giving tax incentives for businesses to move into the area.” — David Ruff, U-Haul Company of SE Ohio president
“There are jobs available at new companies, and the workforce is moving to be near the work.” — Drew Case, U-Haul Company of SW Ohio president
