People are moving to NC from these 10 states the most, 2024 Census data shows

North Carolina’s population is growing rapidly, and part of that is due to people coming from other states, new U.S. Census data shows.

But which states lost the most residents to the Tar Heel State?

North Carolina gained nearly 340,000 people from other states in 2023, year-over-year, according to recent Census data.

Of those new residents, about 40,000 came from Florida — the most from a single state.

The new Census data also shows that North Carolina got an influx of about 64,000 new residents in 2023 who lived outside the U.S. the previous year.

10 states NC gained the most residents from in 2023

1. Florida: 39,931
2. South Carolina: 31,858
3. New York: 29,175
4. Virginia: 25,555
5. Georgia: 23,519
6. California: 21,084
7. Texas: 17,335
8. Pennsylvania: 13,040
9. Maryland: 12,649
10. New Jersey: 9,290

Why are people moving to NC?

A 2024 study by United Van Lines found that the number one reason (27.2%) people moved to North Carolina in 2023 was to be closer to family. Another 24.8% moved to the Tar Heel State for work, while 19.7% moved for retirement.

The study also shows that more than a third of the people who moved to North Carolina in 2023 were aged 65 or older, and half had a incomes of $150,000 or more. Another 22.7% had incomes of $100,000 to $149,999.

United Van Lines notes that percentages pertaining to demographic data may not always total 100% due to respondents having the ability to opt out of answering survey questions and/or to select more than one survey response per question.

Full census breakdown

Here are some other key takeaways of the migration of new residents to North Carolina, according to Census data:

▪ Nearly 90,000 residents moved to North Carolina from its bordering states (South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia).

▪ Only 20 people from Wyoming moved to North Carolina in 2023, the least from any state.

▪ More than 28,000 people moved to North Carolina from the West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington).

▪ More than 18,000 people moved to North Carolina from New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

Inspired by a story from The State in South Carolina.

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM with the headline "People are moving to NC from these 10 states the most, 2024 Census data shows."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.