Self-storage development is shifting toward suburban markets in several of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, according to a new StorageCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data.
The study found that 20 metropolitan areas where urban development accounted for most self-storage construction during the past decade now have predominantly suburban projects in their development pipelines. Another 15 metros are shifting in the opposite direction, toward urban development.
Population growth is a notable distinction between the two groups. Metros shifting toward suburban development recorded median population growth of 13 percent between 2014 and 2024, compared with 5 percent among those shifting toward urban development.
In Florida, Orlando’s urban share of self-storage construction is expected to decline from 57 percent of deliveries during the past decade to 39 perc
