Self-storage Units are Taking Over South Jersey — Here’s Why

If it seems like there is a self-storage business opening up on every corner in South Jersey these days, that's not too far from the truth.

For quite a while, people were joking about how many mattress and dollar stores we had. Now, if you mention a self-storage spot, you'll probably get an eye roll.

So, we did some research to answer the question that everyone has been asking lately: Why are there so many self-storage places?

To illustrate this point, let's look at two spots in Egg Harbor Township.

It was last May when a giant steel structure seemed to appear overnight right along the Black Horse Pike, not too far from Storybook Land.

That quickly turned into this, which appears to be an expansion of the neighboring U-Haul and self-storage business.

Then, last September over behind the old Cardiff Circle, we noticed a few giant concrete towers going up...

And this is what they look like today:

That work is taking place in front of the existing Extra Space Storage facility that's been there for a few years. Yes, they are expanding their business with a multi-level addition.

Fun fact: if you stand at the old Cardiff Circle on the Black Horse Pike, there are four large self-storage businesses within about a half-mile radius. And they all seem to be doing quite well.

As for why all of these monstrosities are suddenly being built, it turns out it's pretty interesting.

Big Storage is Big Business

Storeganise.com wrote an article on this topic and they pointed out a few key factors.

First, as rent and the price of a new home continue to skyrocket, people are looking to downsize. When they do, they don't have as much room for their belongings, so they turn to self-storage spots. It's estimated that about 14% of households in America rent a storage unit. That's millions upon millions of people.

There's also an ongoing trend where people are decluttering their living spaces, but they aren't willing to throw a bunch of stuff in the trash. So, again, they're storing their stuff.

Even more fascinating is the big picture of self-storage. In 2024, it was a $44.3 billion industry. It's expected to top $50 billion before 2030. Simply put, this is a lucrative industry that's pretty cheap to run.

What it Means for South Jersey

So as things change and evolve here in South Jersey, it's easy to anticipate that many more self-storage businesses will open — and they won't be those little one-story places with just a row of garage doors.

And you thought having a Dollar General on every corner was bad.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com