The U-Haul Growth Index: A Handy Shortcut for Smart Storage Site Selection
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
By Garrett Byrd
Population growth = self-storage demand.
If you're eyeing self-storage development, one of the smartest first steps is spotting where demand is actually heading before you even start hunting for land.
That's where the U-Haul Growth Index comes in handy. Check it out here: https://www.uhaul.com/About/Migration/
This free tool tracks real one-way truck rentals across the country, showing clear migration patterns. People voting with their moves. In recent years, states like Texas and Florida keep topping the in-migration lists, while places like California see steady out-migration. Cities and metros in the Sun Belt are seeing big net gains, which directly signals growing populations, more households, and rising need for storage.
Why does this matter for self-storage? New residents mean more stuff to store. Downsizing, upsizing, or just needing extra space during transitions. Population growth is one of the strongest drivers of demand in our industry. Using U-Haul's data helps you zero in on high-growth areas early, so you're not chasing saturated markets or guessing on site selection.
Pair that kind of real-world migration insight with the right guidance, and you're way ahead. That's exactly what we provide at Storage Authority through our Dynamic Ease Development Guide book.
It walks you through everything: qualifying land beyond just size and zoning (think wetlands, utilities, competition, traffic, and more), running your own demand studies, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a facility that performs.
The combination is powerful. Migration data points you to the right regions, and the develpment guide book (plus our franchise support) helps you execute without the expensive trial-and-error most new developers face.
If you're serious about self-storage development and want to make it easier on yourself, start with the U-Haul Growth Index today—it's free and eye-opening. Then, reach out if you'd like to learn more about our Storage Authority Development Guidance and franchise support. We're here to guide you every step, from land search to opening day and beyond!
Ready to find your spot and build something great? Shoot me a call at 941-928-1354 or book a quick discovery call at https://calendly.com/garrett-storage-authority.
Join us for “7 Reasons Self Storage Is Not for You” a fast-paced, honest look at the business with our CEO, Marc Goodin.
📅 Thursday, February 15th
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
🎙️ 25-Minute Q&A — Bring Your Questions!
You might just discover self-storage is right for you after all.
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