North Carolina
Moving trends show how Wilmington’s growth compares to NC, the country
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According to a recent report from U-Haul, North Carolina remains one of the top growth states in the country. So what does this mean for Wilmington?
U-Haul analyzed migration data across the United States based on how many customers are taking U-Haul trucks and trailers on one-way trips in and out of states.
U-Haul’s data — which is comprised of over 2.5 million one-way moves across 24,000 rental facilities — found that North Carolina was the third-ranked growth state in the United States. And this is nothing new — North Carolina has been ranked third for three years running.
When we take a closer look into the state, how does Wilmington stack up against North Carolina’s other major cities?
Wilmington, NC’s growth
Have you been feeling like the Wilmington area is getting more crowded? The data shows you aren’t wrong.
Inside North Carolina, the biggest growth metropolitan areas remain the two largest cities: Charlotte and Raleigh. But right behind them in third place is the Wilmington metro area.
And Wilmington isn’t just seeing significant growth compared to the rest of North Carolina — it’s also the 26th ranked growth area in the country.
“While rankings may not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the U-Haul Growth Index is an effective gauge of how well states, metros and cities are attracting and maintaining residents,” the report said.
The report indicated that weather, lower cost of living, and strong public universities could also be driving factors for in-migration to North Carolina.
Slowing growth?
According to Jeff Lockridge, manager of media and public relations for U-Haul, Wilmington saw a “strong net-gain number” in 2025. But Lockridge said that the growth isn’t as robust compared to the previous year.
Wilmington was the 14th-ranked growth metro in 2024 but dropped 12 spots to 26th in 2025.
This is true of the city proper as well, Lockridge said. In 2025, one-way arrivals into Wilmington were down 10% while departures were only down 6%. This means that the city of Wilmington saw less net gain than previous years in terms of one-way moves.
While Wilmington still sees more U-Hauls coming in than going out, these numbers show that the growth slowed in 2025.
Still, it’s important to note that these numbers only represent change over the course of one year, and don’t necessarily predict the future.
New Hanover County’s most recent comprehensive plan, Destination 2050, stated that the county expects its population grow by 48% between 2020 and 2050.
Charlie Kingree is the trending topics and Pender County reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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