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The Next Growth Markets Beyond Florida, Texas and California

November 21, 2025

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The Next Growth Markets Beyond Florida, Texas and California

By Zachary Urow and Sean Ruhlman

Florida, Texas and California have long dominated boat and RV storage demand with high ownership rates, expansive recreation markets and mature development pipelines.

Investors and developers are now shifting their attention to regions with population growth, affordable land and limited existing supply as these states grow more competitive. The Southeast and Mountain West are now showing the early indicators of what could become the next wave of high-growth storage markets.

Below, we explore why regions like Georgia, the Carolinas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and a few others are prime for steady growth of RV/boat storage.

Why the Shift Is Happening

Florida, Texas and California still offer size, visibility and strong investor interest. But they also come with higher costs, more competition and less available land. As profits get tighter, investors are starting to look toward new markets.

According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. population grew by nearly 1% from 2023 to 2024. This was the fastest growth since 2001. The South added more than 1.8 million people, while states like Arizona and Nevada saw some of the biggest gains in the West. This migration isn’t only about relocation. It also reflects changing lifestyles as many new residents bring RVs, boats and outdoor gear that require secure and specialized storage.

Industry data points in the same direction. RV shipments grew by more than 11% in 2024 compared to the year before, and boat registrations in the U.S. topped 11.6 million, slightly higher than the previous year. People are still investing in outdoor recreation even as the market matures.

Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina

Source: Urow Real Estate

The Southeast shows this trend clearly. Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are becoming leading markets for boat storage investment, supported by strong population growth, access to recreational areas and a limited supply of purpose-built facilities.

Cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh and Charleston are seeing strong growth in housing and jobs, pushing development into nearby suburbs. Many of these areas offer easy access to lakes, rivers, and the coast. But local rules and homeowner associations often prohibit homeowners from storing boats or trailers at home. This gap between ownership and available space has made off-site storage the practical solution.

In Georgia, the marine economy has expanded by nearly 30% over the past decade, adding more than 317 new marine businesses and increasing the need for storage. North Carolina and South Carolina have both large inland lakes and access to the Atlantic, creating two kinds of demand: coastal owners looking for safe inland storage during hurricane season and inland owners seeking covered, long-term space for their boats.

Another advantage for this region is that development is still relatively easy. Land around major cities is more affordable, and local governments often see recreational storage as a good fit for their communities. As a result, new projects near places like Lake Norman, Lake Hartwell and coastal Georgia have leased up quickly, with occupancy often above 90% in the first year.

Arizona, Nevada and Utah

High RV ownership and easy access to national parks are reshaping the Mountain and Desert states. West of the Rockies, places like Arizona, Nevada and Utah are seeing strong growth led by the RV market. These states attract both new residents and outdoor travelers thanks to year-round recreation, open land and steady population gains.

Source: Urow Real Estate

The West added nearly 688,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, reaching a total of about 80 million people. Arizona gained more than 109,000 new residents, while Utah and Nevada grew the fastest, at 1.8% and 1.7%.

RV ownership also continues to climb. Towable RV shipments rose by more than 11% in 2024 compared to the previous year, and Americans took over 25-million RV trips, up slightly from 2023. As more people move to the region, boat and RV ownership are rising alongside homeownership, creating steady demand for secure storage.

Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks also brought in more than 10-million visitors in 2023, showing how tourism and recreation are deeply tied to the RV market. Many travelers take long trips through the region, creating short-term storage needs along major routes and near park gateways.

Land availability also remains an important factor, with parcels outside major metros like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Reno and Salt Lake City generally more affordable than in coastal states. This gives developers room to build larger facilities with pull-through spaces, covered parking and long-term storage options.

Local zoning rules are also flexible, with many counties viewing boat and RV storage as a good fit for light industrial or commercial areas. Additionally, many successful facilities sit near interstates such as I-10, I-17 and I-15, making them easy stops for travelers heading to national parks or crossing state lines.

Other Markets Emerging on the Horizon

While the Southeast and Mountain West attract most of the attention, other regions are quietly gaining momentum. In the Midwest, lake areas across Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin continue to show some of the highest boat ownership rates in the country. In the past, most of this demand was met through informal storage, but rising expectations are creating new opportunities for modern, purpose-built facilities.

Further west, Colorado and Idaho share many of the same trends as the rest of the Mountain West. Both states have seen strong population growth over the past decade. In areas like Denver, Colorado Springs, Boise and Coeur d’Alene, developers are now building higher-quality storage facilities for boat and RV owners who want secure spaces rather than open lots.

Lake Cour d’Alene Boat Storage

Source: Hagadone Marine Group

Conclusion

The boat and RV storage industry is expanding beyond its traditional markets. Florida, Texas and California remain major hubs, but the next wave of growth is forming across the Southeast and Mountain West. Georgia and the Carolinas are becoming leading areas for boat storage, while Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are emerging as important corridors for RV development.

For investors and developers, these regions represent more than new locations. They show where the industry is moving. Migration, recreation and affordability are changing how Americans live and travel, creating opportunities in places that once flew under the radar.

Those who spot these shifts early, align their projects with local demand and focus on building quality facilities will be best positioned for long-term success. The road ahead is open and promising for those who plan ahead and build in the markets’ growing next.

Zachary Urow and Sean Ruhlman are president/founder and senior associate, respectively, of Urow Real Estate, a boutique investment sales firm exclusively focused on the sale of self-storage facilities across the United States. Recognized as experts in the boat and RV storage, the Urow team has successfully brokered the sale of the largest Class A facility of its kind in the country in 2025, Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage. Located in Oakley, California, this 546-unit, 273,105 NRSF property set a new benchmark for large-vehicle storage in Northern California. Its standout features include 20 solar-integrated canopies generating over $695,000 annually in additional income; extra-wide drive aisles and angled pull-through parking; top-tier amenities including trickle charging, dump stations, wash station, tire air station, propane, restrooms, showers and a conference room; and 35+ security cameras, gated keypad access and 14-foot perimeter fence. To learn more about the Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage sale, click here. For the latest articles and industry news, visit The Urow Magazine and register on the website to stay informed: https://www.urowrealestate.com/articles/