Self-storage works best in areas that are growing at a rapid pace. These are markets where people are moving in, moving out, changing households, and needing somewhere to store their belongings. So logically, the best markets for self-storage are often the states with the highest population growth. Based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates, these are the top six states for 2026. The U.S. population as a whole grew by only 0.5% from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025, so any state growing materially faster than that stands out.
6) Delaware
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 0.9%
- Current population: 1,059,952
- 2024 population: 1,050,123
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 12.1%
Delaware slips into the sixth spot on this list. Its annual growth rate of 0.9% is not spectacular compared to the leaders, but it still came in well above the national average. Over the past 10 years, Delaware’s population has climbed from 945,934 in 2015 to 1,059,952 in 2025, an increase of about 12.1%. For self-storage owners, that kind of steady growth can translate into more housing turnover, more moves, and more need for extra space.
5) Utah
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 1.0%
- Current population: 3,538,904
- 2024 population: 3,502,983
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 18.1%
Utah remains one of the most dependable growth stories in the country. The state grew by 1.0% in the latest year, which is double the national pace, and its population has risen from 2,995,919 in 2015 to 3,538,904 in 2025. That works out to roughly 18.1% growth over the decade. Utah has long benefited from strong natural population growth, and that kind of steady expansion tends to support self-storage demand over time.
4) Texas
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 1.2%
- Current population: 31,709,821
- 2024 population: 31,318,578
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 15.4%
Texas continues to be one of the strongest large-state growth markets in America. It added 391,243 residents in just one year, the biggest numeric gain of any state, and its total population now stands at 31,709,821. Back in 2015, Texas had 27,469,114 residents, so its 10-year growth rate is about 15.4%. That combination of size and growth is exactly what makes Texas so attractive for self-storage. More people generally means more relocations, more household formation, and more demand for space.
3) North Carolina
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 1.3%
- Current population: 11,197,968
- 2024 population: 11,052,061
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 11.5%
North Carolina has become one of the most important growth states in the nation. Its population rose by 1.3% in the latest year, making it the third-fastest-growing state in the country. The state has also grown from 10,042,802 residents in 2015 to 11,197,968 in 2025, a 10-year increase of about 11.5%. Markets like this tend to be strong candidates for self-storage because population growth creates constant movement, and movement creates storage demand.
2) Idaho
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 1.4%
- Current population: 2,029,733
- 2024 population: 2,000,872
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 22.6%
Idaho takes the number two spot, and it has one of the most impressive long-term growth records on the list. The state grew by 1.4% in the latest year, and over the past decade it expanded from 1,654,930 residents in 2015 to 2,029,733 in 2025. That is a gain of about 22.6%. Few states can match that kind of long-term momentum. While Idaho is smaller than Texas or North Carolina, self-storage owners care more about growth trends than sheer size, and Idaho’s trend remains one of the strongest in America.
1) South Carolina
- 1-yr pop. growth rate: 1.5%
- Current population: 5,570,274
- 2024 population: 5,490,316
- 10-yr pop. growth rate: 13.8%
South Carolina takes the top spot for 2026. According to the Census Bureau, it was the fastest-growing state in the nation from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025, with growth driven largely by strong net domestic migration. Its population grew from 4,896,146 in 2015 to 5,570,274 in 2025, which is a 10-year gain of about 13.8%. That is exactly the kind of pattern self-storage investors like to see. Fast population growth usually means more household moves, more business activity, and more reasons for people to need extra storage space.
Conclusion
Self-storage has always performed best in places where growth creates movement. Rising populations usually mean more relocations, more life transitions, and more demand for temporary or long-term storage. Based on the latest Census estimates, the top six self-storage states for 2026 are South Carolina, Idaho, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Delaware. These are the states currently leading the nation in population growth, and that makes them the logical markets to watch.
