From 2020 to 2021, Texas had the largest population growth of any state. Much of that increase came from people moving to Texas from other states. Around 596,000 Americans from other states moved to Texas during 2020. With 421,000 Texans also leaving the state, Texas gained a net 177,000 residents through domestic migration.
Which states had the most residents move to Texas?
In 2020, around 105,000 Californians moved to Texas, more than double the next-highest state. Florida had the second-highest number of residents move to Texas (37,000) and Louisiana was third (31,000).
Which states had the highest percentage of their residents move to Texas?
While California had the most movers to Texas in absolute terms, it is also the most populous state in the country. As a result, people moving to Texas represented just 0.27% of California’s population in 2020. Thirteen states had a higher percentage of their populations move to Texas. New Mexico topped the list, with 0.74%.
Northeastern and Midwestern states tended to have fewer residents move to Texas.West Virginia had the lowest percentage of residents leave for the state: 0.07%.
Why do people move to Texas?
While there is no data on the reasons people have moved to Texas in recent years, previous research from can give some indication of potential migration drivers.
From 2000 to 2019, the most common self-reported reason for interstate migration was job-related, including getting a new job, looking for work, or wanting an easier commute. Family reasons were the second-most common reason and included getting married or moving away from home.
These are reflected in the demographics of recent movers to Texas. They are mostly ages 25–44 and are more likely to have children than current Texas residents. They are also overrepresented in computer and engineering-related jobs as well as the management, business, and financial fields.
Where did this data come from?
This data came from the IRS based on filed tax returns. The data has information on tax filers who moved at a county, state, and international levels. However, it misses low-income residents who choose not to file taxes. While other sources such as the US Census Bureau have data on overall migration, it does not have the same level of detail on people moving from one specific state or country to another.
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I am an expert in demographic trends and population dynamics with a focus on migration patterns in the United States. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of data sources, including tax return records from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is a crucial component in tracking population movements.
The data mentioned in the article likely comes from the IRS, providing granular insights into domestic migration at the state level. This dataset allows for a detailed analysis of the number of people moving to and from Texas, along with demographic characteristics such as age groups and employment sectors.
The article highlights that Texas experienced significant population growth from 2020 to 2021, primarily driven by domestic migration. The net gain of 177,000 residents through domestic migration underscores the state's appeal. The 596,000 Americans moving to Texas from other states, juxtaposed with the 421,000 Texans leaving, paints a comprehensive picture of the state's demographic shifts.
California emerges as a significant contributor to Texas's population growth, with 105,000 residents relocating in 2020, indicating a trend of Californians seeking new opportunities in Texas. Florida and Louisiana follow suit in contributing to Texas's population influx, reflecting diverse migration patterns.
The article further delves into the percentage of residents moving to Texas relative to their state's population. Notably, while California had the highest number of migrants in absolute terms, the percentage (0.27%) was surpassed by 13 other states. New Mexico leads with 0.74%, highlighting a nuanced understanding of migration rates.
The geographical analysis suggests that Northeastern and Midwestern states show lower migration rates to Texas, with West Virginia having the lowest percentage of residents leaving for the state at 0.07%.
To address the question of why people move to Texas, the article draws on previous research spanning 2000 to 2019, identifying job-related reasons as the most common drivers. This aligns with the demographics of recent movers, primarily ages 25–44, with a focus on family considerations and careers in computer science, engineering, management, business, and finance.
Crucially, the data source is identified as IRS tax returns, acknowledging its limitations in capturing low-income residents who may choose not to file taxes. The article emphasizes that while other sources like the US Census Bureau provide overall migration data, the IRS data offers a unique, detailed perspective on state-specific movements.
In conclusion, this article provides a well-informed and data-driven exploration of Texas's population growth, the states contributing significantly, and the demographic and occupational characteristics of recent migrants.
