Special to the Bulletin
Manteca is in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the United States based on an increase in U-Haul rentals.
 U-Haul ranked Manteca as No. 9 in its list of top growth cities for the renting of their do-it-yourself moving trucks during 2015. Growth rankings are determined by the net gain of incoming one-way U-Haul truck rentals versus outgoing rentals for the past calendar year.
U-Haul arrivals in Manteca climbed 60 percent last year. The firm has a regional rental, service, and storage operation in Manteca at the 120 Bypass and Main Street.
Missoula, Montana, came in at No. 10 on the U-Haul list. The No. 8 city will be announced today with subsequent cities to follow until the No. 1 growth city is released on Feb. 5.
“I’m not surprised Manteca is in the top 10,” Mayor Steve DeBrum said. “Over the past couple of decades, Manteca leaders have focused on balanced growth – expanding the city’s residential, commercial and industrial bases. The goal has been to provide quality, affordable housing and local jobs that help build a vibrant community.”
U-Haul locations in Manteca saw 56.3 percent of truck rental customers coming into the city as opposed to leaving. It welcomed 60 percent more U-Haul arrivals year-over-year, while its departures were up 36 percent over the same period.
The overall spike in U-Haul traffic made the Central Valley destination a much busier place for do-it-yourself movers.
“We have a strong recreation base, and are proud of the variety of sports and recreational opportunities that exist,” DeBrum added. “We are proud of the hundreds of volunteers who help to make this city a desirable place to live, work and play.”
While U-Haul migration trends don’t correlate directly to population or economic growth, the growth cities data is a strong gauge of how well cities are attracting and keeping residents. Continue following the U-Haul Top 10 U.S. Growth Cities countdown at myuhaulstory.com and via Twitter @uhaul.
U-Haul notes $100 doesn’t go as far in Manteca as it has the equivalent buying power of $89.05 compared to the nation as a whole.
The U-Haul release also noted:
Residents enjoy an array of recreational opportunities, including: the Big League Dreams Sports Park; a top-rated BMX track; a skate park; an 18-hole municipal championship golf course; a nearly four-mile-long bike path and pedestrian corridor; and 400-plus acres of neighborhood and community parks.
The city’s population growth is significantly outpacing the state of California, as is the growth of other San Joaquin County cities. From April 2010 to July 2014, Manteca’s population grew 9.2 percent compared to 4.2-percent statewide growth. It had 73,494 residents at the time of the last census.
Many things set Manteca apart, including its patriotism. Ten times a year, volunteers line the city streets with 2,400 flags as part of the Flags Over Manteca.  Because of the rich farming and dairy community, Manteca has a certified farmers’ market during the summer months complete with local farmers, food and entertainment. The Manteca Mural Society tells the city’s rich history through its tremendous artwork.
“The cost of living is much lower than the Bay Area, so many people move here to raise families and commute to the big cities,” said Chris Trudell, President of U-Haul Company of West Sacramento. “The downtown area has many small businesses and old-style buildings. Every year for patriotic holidays, Main Street and Yosemite Avenue are lined with American flags down both sidewalks. Manteca is home base for The Not Forgotten Memorial Day Weekend, the largest such event on the West Coast.”