Sarnia has earned the No. 21 spot on the 2024 U-Haul Canadian Growth Cities list. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Sarnia has appeared in U-Haul's prestigious top 25 rankings.
According to the U-Haul Growth Index, which tracks migration trends based on one-way transactions, 52% of all U-Haul traffic to and from Sarnia in 2024 consisted of arrivals—a clear indicator of its growing appeal. Sarnia's net arrivals increased by 8% from the previous year, continuing its upward trend in attracting new residents and businesses.
David Anstett, President of U-Haul Company of Western Ontario, attributes this consistent growth to Sarnia's thriving oil industry and robust economic opportunities. ““There are many oil refineries here because the oil pipeline that comes in from western Canada gets refined in Sarnia. There are a lot of big companies that have plants here and help bring in job opportunities. Some of those are Imperial Oil®, NOVA® Chemicals and Shell® … just to name a few.”
U-Haul ranks growth cities by each city’s net gain or loss of one-way equipment from customer transactions in a calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck, trailer and U-Box® portable moving container transactions that occur annually across Canada and the U.S.
Sarnia's ranking highlights its ability to attract talent and investment. The city's strategic location, strong industrial foundation, and commitment to fostering sustainable growth have made it a standout in a competitive landscape.
While U-Haul migration trends do not directly reflect population growth, they provide valuable insight into Sarnia's ability to retain and attract residents.
For businesses seeking growth opportunities, Sarnia offers a dynamic environment backed by decades of economic stability and forward-looking planning. Explore Invest Sarnia to learn how your business can benefit from all that Sarnia has to offer.
Click on the image(s) below to expand.
