Gaston County Named in America's Top 10 Most Desirable Counties to Move To

Published Wednesday, February 18, 2026

The 2025 Relocation Map: America’s Most Desirable Cities, States and Counties to Move to

Source: U.S. News & World Report  (Click here for original article) 

Many U.S. residents were either on the move last year or thinking about a move, and we know which states, counties and cities were the most popular destinations in 2025. Using online search data and accounting for population size, this research revealed the top 50 state, county and city destinations in the U.S. by their move-in to move-out ratios.

Florida and North Carolina garnered the most interest in terms of online searches for locations within specific counties last year. Florida had 11 of the top locations, with North Carolina coming in second with nine and Texas with seven. In addition, a whopping 45 of the top 50 counties in terms of online searches are in the South, making it the most desirable area of the U.S.

 
Here are the top 10 counties with the highest migration interest:
  1. Brunswick County, North Carolina
  2. Horry County, South Carolina
  3. Washington County, Tennessee
  4. Sumter County, Florida
  5. Marion County, Florida
  6. Ellis County, Texas
  7. Catawba County, North Carolina
  8. Greenville County, South Carolina
  9. Dorchester County, South Carolina
  10. Gaston County, North Carolina

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