A new study by Atlas Van Lines that tracked migration patterns throughout the country in 2019 found more Americans are moving to Idaho than any other state. The Gem State continued a pattern of drawing new residents, ranking as the survey’s inbound leader for the second time since 2017. On the other hand, more people are looking to escape from New York, the nation’s outbound move leader last year, a designation the Empire State also held in 2014.
The study by the national moving company found that 26 states registered as balanced, meaning that moves in and out of the states and Washington, D.C., were roughly equal. The data also showed a decrease in moves from 2018 to 2019.
Inbound moves to Colorado last year dominated outbound moves for the first time in a decade, while Oregon lost its inbound status for the first time since 2012 and became balanced. Texas achieved inbound status after spending 2016 to 2018 as balanced. Additionally, Ohio gained a balanced classification for the first time since 2002.
Last year’s total number of interstate and cross-border moves in North America reached 66,308, down from 71,092 in 2018.
In addition to Idaho, the list of states that experienced the highest share of inbound moves last year included Washington, North Carolina and New Mexico. The states that saw an exodus of residents at an alarming rate were New York, West Virginia, South Dakota and Illinois.
Most of the states that are benefiting from an influx of new residents offer job growth, lower costs of living and more temperate climates. For example, Florida continued a pattern of net population gains in 2018 with New York contributing the most to the state’s migration inflow. According to the Census Bureau, 63,722 people moved from New York to the Sunshine State in 2018. The second-highest contributor was Georgia with 38,800 people moving to Florida.
INBOUND
Idaho (62.3%)
Washington (60.5%)
North Carolina (59.3%)
New Mexico (59%)
Tennessee (58.5%)
Rhode Island (57.8%)
Arizona (57.7%)
Alabama (56.9%)
District of Columbia (56.9%)
Texas (56.1%)
OUTBOUND
New York (62.7%)
West Virginia (62.5%)
South Dakota (61.7%)
Illinois (61.4%)
Louisiana (59.6%)
New Jersey (57.9%)
Delaware (57.3%)
Nebraska (56.6%)
Indiana (56.5%)
Connecticut (56%)
HOW DID NEVADA FAIR?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brenda Richardson
I am an award-winning journalist and former real estate editor at the Chicago Tribune, where I was cited for excellence for my work in launching and editing real estate and home improvement sections. The Tribune’s real estate section was ranked as the third best in the country under my tenure by the National Association of Real Estate Editors. I am equally adept at writing about resilient housing, smart-home technology, real estate trends, home improvement and design. My real estate articles have been published in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and several digital platforms, including forbes.com, chase.com and discover.com. Previously, I was as an editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and San Antonio Express-News. Email tips and story ideas to brendayrichardson@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter at @homesbrenda.
© 2020 Forbes | All Rights Reserved | January 13, 2020
DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE: