Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 20, 2026
Buncombe County Sees Steepest Migration Reversal of Any Large U.S. County
TLDR
- Buncombe home listings doubled and values fell 5.6 percent after Helene, giving buyers rare leverage in a once-tight market.
- Dry Ridge Moving analyzed Census, IRS, Realtor.com, Zillow and labor data to track Buncombe's 13.7 per 1,000 migration reversal.
- Understanding Helene's displacement helps Western North Carolina rebuild stronger, supporting neighbors who left and those who stayed.
- Buncombe County saw the steepest migration reversal of any large U.S. county after Helene, with 2,056 more people leaving than arriving.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it illustrates the profound and lasting demographic and economic consequences of a natural disaster on a community. The sharp reversal in migration and the cooling housing market in Buncombe County signal a significant shift in the region's attractiveness and economic vitality. For residents, it means a shrinking workforce, potential labor shortages, and a decline in home values that can affect personal wealth. For businesses, it could mean a smaller customer base and challenges in finding employees. For policymakers, it underscores the need for robust disaster recovery and economic development strategies to retain and attract residents. The data also highlights how migration patterns can rapidly change in response to environmental shocks, with ripple effects on housing, employment, and community resilience. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, understanding these dynamics is crucial for planning and recovery efforts across the country.
Summary
Buncombe County, North Carolina, has experienced the most dramatic reversal in domestic migration of any large U.S. county in the year following Tropical Storm Helene, according to a new analysis of public data released by Asheville-based moving company Dry Ridge Moving. The study, which draws on Census, IRS, Realtor.com, Zillow, and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reveals that the county's net domestic migration swung from a gain of 1,768 people in the year before the storm to a loss of 2,056 people in the year after—a shift of 13.7 net movers per 1,000 residents, the largest among the 620 U.S. counties with at least 100,000 residents. This reversal left Buncombe with 1,810 fewer residents in July 2025 than a year earlier, marking the county's first annual population decline since at least 2000.
The housing market has also been profoundly affected. Active home listings in Buncombe County more than doubled from 886 in August 2024 to 1,799 in August 2026, a 103 percent increase compared to 25 percent nationally. The median listing time rose from 54 to 78 days, and Zillow's typical home value fell 5.6 percent between September 2024 and July 2026, even as national home values rose 1.1 percent. Meanwhile, the local labor force shrank by 5.8 percent, with 135,287 people working or seeking work in July 2026, a steeper decline than the statewide 1.2 percent drop. The broader 23-county Helene-declared region in North Carolina's mountains also saw net domestic migration fall 54.5 percent, though it remained positive. IRS data from tax years 2022 and 2023 shows that Florida was the leading source of new households for several counties, while South Carolina was the top destination for those leaving. The full study, including methodology and downloadable data, is available on the Dry Ridge Moving website.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by Press Services. Read the original source here, Buncombe County Sees Steepest Migration Reversal of Any Large U.S. County
