Amid the recent winter storm, the Tar Heel State experienced a new milestone. For the first time, North Carolina ranked No. 1 in the nation for state-to-state migration. Principled economic policy and leadership made it possible.

According to new Census Bureau data released late January, North Carolina gained 84,000 residents from other states between July 2024 and July 2025. During this time, powerhouses Texas and Florida netted 67,300 and 22,500 new residents, respectively. It’s the first time in decades that any state has gained more new residents than Texas or Florida.