Where America Is Moving: Southeast Markets Show Strongest Migration Gains

New migration data from Placer.ai reinforces a trend we’ve been watching closely.

South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida all ranked among the states with the strongest net in-migration in 2025. While the rapid population shifts of the pandemic have moderated, people continue to choose markets that offer affordability, business-friendly environments, and long-term growth.

Those are many of the same markets where Rise Partners continues to invest, develop, and redevelop commercial real estate throughout the Southeast.

Population growth drives demand for retail and other commercial real estate sectors, and we’re seeing that firsthand across our portfolio. As communities continue to grow, thoughtful development plays an important role in creating places where businesses can thrive and people can live, work, and shop. Great examples include our Hardy Pond mixed-use development in Rock Hill, SC (shown below), and the redevelopment of Northgate Shopping Center in Fayetteville, NC.

The migration boom may have cooled, but the long-term fundamentals supporting the Southeast remain strong.

Source: Chain Store Age, Placer.ai’s: “States that saw the highest migration in 2025 were”