Four counties in Texas were among the top 10 in the nation with the largest positive net domestic migration as more Americans moved to the Lone Star State.
Key Details
- Recent Census Bureau findings for net domestic migration from July 2021 to June 2022 showed that Texas is among one of the fastest-growing states by population.
- Migration patterns in 2022 were noticeably different from those of 2021. During the pandemic, small counties typically had higher domestic migration, while larger counties had lower numbers, according to the Census Bureau report.
- In 2022, however, that trend flipped. Large counties, especially in the South and West, experienced increased migration.
- States including Florida, Utah, and Washington had more counties with positive net migration than those with negative migration. Louisiana, Illinois, and California, on the other hand, had more counties with negative migration than with positive.
- In Delaware, Maine, and New Hampshire, all counties reported positive migration, Business Insider reports.
Why it’s news
As remote work gives Americans more opportunities to move around the U.S., population trends are beginning to shift. Many residents are drawn to the South, as it offers warmer weather, reduced taxes, and a lower cost of living.
For the states attracting new residents, this means greater potential for tax revenue and further development in the state. States with significant negative net migration may begin to feel the loss in tax revenue and available workers.
Sumter County, Florida, had the largest positive net domestic migration, but southern states are not the only ones drawing a crowd. Whitman County, Washington, closely followed Sumter County. Whitman had the largest population growth of any county on the list, Business Insider reports.
Lassen County in California had the most significant negative net domestic migration. Several counties in New York also saw a significant population decline, including the Bronx and Queens.
Backing up a bit
The U.S. populace is making a change as more residents head southward, driven by lower taxes, lower housing costs, and more job opportunities.
While populations in other areas of the country shrink, the South is growing—particularly Florida. The southern U.S. outpaced other regions of the U.S. last year by more than 1.3 million people.
In comparison, the North and Midwest lost overall residents. The West grew by 153,000 people.
Moving south can have its advantages for residents. Florida, in particular, stands out to many movers as the state has no income tax and relatively low taxes in other categories. By comparison, for New York residents making between $13,901 and $80,650 a year, the state income tax rate is 5.85%.
In addition to lower taxes, for the first time in nearly 40 years, Florida has more available jobs than New York, Bloomberg reports. Beyond lower taxes and more job opportunities, movers may also find more affordable housing further south, though growing populations have likely influenced more recent price increases.