Data shows NC population boom the nation's third-biggest jump over year span

North Carolina has been a big winner of that movement. The state had the third-highest in-migration during that period, only trailing Florida and Texas. Just in Raleigh, 10 years ago the population was around 400,000. Since then, its population jumped about 15 percent, to around 467,000.

Laced within that trend are a variety of factors, including North Carolina's proximity to beach and mountain landscapes, warm climate, booming tech sphere in the Research Triangle Park, attractive job market, good schools and acclaimed universities.

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From the coast, to the mountains and everywhere in between, North Carolina has a little bit of something for everyone.

"Right now, they can live anywhere they have a choose, and they want to live somewhere warm," said relocation specialist Julie Kopetsky. "All of the open space here - people are really drawn to that, coming from places that are really urban that don’t see that much land."

Kopetsky says she noticed the migration in early 2021.

"During COVID, there was a slow down so we had a natural increase after COVID."

Some 46 million people moved to a different ZIP code between February 2021 and February 2022, the most of any 12-month period since 2010. North Carolina gained 64,970 residents, according to the analysis.

"North Carolina is experiencing rapid migration," said Adam Kamins with Moody Analytics. "You are getting more people from NYC area to the Triangle."

Kamins, who published the analysis, said he found while many are heading into the Triangle for a the ever-growing job market - other areas are proving equally as attractive as Kamins says remote work has been a game changer.

"In places like Wilmington or Asheville that are popular with tourists and retirees, the ability to work from anywhere makes places more attractive now," Kamins said.