The Texas-Sized Occupancy Boom That’s Fueling Self-Storage Growth
In real estate, tenant demand drives everything. And in self-storage, occupancy is more than a number—it’s a pulse check on your asset’s health, cash flow, and future value.
Right now, the pulse across Texas is strong—and getting stronger.
From border towns to booming metros, from oil fields to tech hubs, Texas is experiencing a powerful wave of demand that’s pushing occupancy rates higher, particularly in self-storage.
And while national headlines may focus on macroeconomic uncertainty, savvy investors know: the real story is in the state-level trends.
Let’s break it down—from the big picture to the front lines in Dallas-Fort Worth, where the numbers are telling a compelling story of sustained growth.
Texas: A Magnet for Migration and Demand
Texas has long been a top destination for people and businesses, but what we’re seeing now is on another level. Between corporate relocations, favorable tax policies, and a growing reputation as a haven for opportunity, the Lone Star State is seeing a population boom that’s not slowing down.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas added more than 473,000 new residents in 2023—more than any other state. That’s not just impressive—it’s transformative.
With that kind of growth, people need places to live, work, and store their belongings. And in a world where life transitions are one of the top drivers of self-storage use, Texas is a goldmine for sustained occupancy.
Across secondary and tertiary markets, owners and operators are reporting stable-to-rising occupancy rates—even amid elevated interest rates and economic pressure.
But if the state is strong, the Texas Triangle is even stronger.
The Texas Triangle: Where Growth Concentrates
The Texas Triangle—anchored by Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin—makes up less than 10% of Texas' landmass but houses over 75% of its population and economic activity. It’s a corridor of commerce, culture, and rapid expansion.
In terms of self-storage, this means:
More renters
More homeowners in transition
More small business activity
More urban infill and multi-family development (which often lacks storage space)
In short, more need for storage.
Recent market surveys from third-party operators and boots-on-the-ground owners confirm what we’re seeing firsthand—occupancy rates in the Triangle are trending upward, particularly in properties that are well-located and well-managed.
Operators who know how to work their marketing channels, keep units clean, and optimize rental rates are consistently seeing 85%+ occupancy, with newer facilities filling up at a faster pace than industry averages from just a few years ago.
But if you really want to see the bullseye of demand, look no further than DFW.
DFW Metro: The Epicenter of Occupancy Growth
Dallas-Fort Worth isn’t just growing—it’s exploding.
The metroplex is adding more than 350 new residents per day, with major employers, developers, and institutions doubling down on their DFW presence. Combine that with a business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and affordable housing (relative to other major U.S. metros), and you’ve got a self-storage ecosystem with serious tailwinds.
At BOCO, we’ve seen it up close: facilities we own in the region are seeing steady leasing velocity—even during the months that used to be considered "off-season."
Here’s what’s driving it:
Job creation: Major tech, healthcare, and logistics employers are setting up shop in North Texas, bringing in waves of new workers.
Home building: While inventory is still tight, new construction is picking up, and people need storage in the meantime.
Lifestyle transitions: Divorce, relocation, downsizing, college transitions—life isn’t slowing down in DFW, and neither is the demand for accessible, affordable storage space.
Even with new supply hitting the market, demand is absorbing units at a healthy pace, especially in well-located Class B and value-add Class C facilities that offer flexibility and lower rates than high-end REIT developments.
The Takeaway: Follow the Tenants, Not the Headlines
If you’re an investor wondering where the opportunity is hiding in 2025, look where the tenants are moving—and staying.
Texas is still the land of opportunity.
The Texas Triangle is its economic engine.
And DFW is the high-performance core of it all.
Occupancy isn’t just holding—it’s rising. And the operators and investors who understand this trend are stacking stable cash flow while others are watching from the sidelines.
Self-storage isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. Especially when you follow the data, trust the fundamentals, and lean into smart management in high-demand regions.
