Study Shows States Where Americans Moved in 2013

Article from: Realtor.com

Among the customers of one of the nation’s top moving companies in 2013, Oregon had the highest percentage of people moving in, while New Jersey once again saw more people moving away.

“We’ve been tracking the number of inbound and outbound domestic moves for nearly 40 years, and through our study are able to identify the states that are attracting or losing residents,” said Carl Walter, vice president of United Van Lines.

The 37th Annual Migration Study, which tracks the states the company’s customers move to and from during the course of the year, found that 61 percent of Oregon moves were inbound. South Carolina and North Carolina followed in second and third place, with 60 percent and 58 percent of moves, respectively, being inbound.

On the flip side, the Garden State had the ignominious distinction of leading the list of outbound migration states for the third time in the last four years, with 64 percent of moves going bye-bye. Illinois continued to share in the exodus experience, finishing in the number two spot for the second straight year with 61 percent of moves headed elsewhere.

“Business incentives, industrial growth and relatively lower costs of living are attracting jobs and people to the Southeastern and Western states such as South Dakota, Colorado and Texas,” said Michael Stoll, economist, professor and chair of the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “We’re also seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest as young professionals and retirees are drawn to amenities including public transit, green space and the local arts and entertainment scene.”

Michigan finally had good news from the study. After 16 consecutive years at or near the top of the outbound list, the Great Lakes State appeared in the “balanced” category for 2013, with roughly the same number of people moving in as moving out.