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The most common destinations for California migrants were Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
Updated on Mon, May 22, 2023 by the USAFacts Team
Home/Population and society/Articles/725,000 people left California in 2020. Which states did they move to?
Texas had the most California transplants from 2020 to 2021: 105,000. Arizona (with 63,000 California transplants) and Nevada (55,000) were next highest.
Which states had the most people moving to and from California?
Including both people who moved in and out of the state, California gained net residents from four states: New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. California lost a net total of nearly 70,000 residents to Texas, and 37,800 to Arizona.
Which states have the highest proportion of California transplants?
While Texas was the most common destination for people moving from California, it is also one of the most populous states in the country. As a result, recent movers from California only made up around 0.36% of the 2021 Texas population.
Nevada and Idaho had the highest proportion of recent California transplants, at 1.74% and 1.38%.
Why are people moving?
While there is no data on the reasons driving people from California in the past few years, previous research can give some potential reasons for migration.
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From 2000 to 2019, the most common self-reported reasons for interstate migration were job-related, including a new job, looking for work, or an easier commute. The second-most-common reason was family, including getting married or moving away from home.
From 2007 to 2016, California had the highest net out-migration from lower income groups as well as families with kids. At the same time, it experienced in-migration from high-income earners.
County-level data can give some indication of moving factors. In 2020, California counties near the Nevada or Oregon state borders lost the most residents, in addition to residents of San Diego and San Francisco counties. These two areas have some of the highest housing costs in California, as well as some of the highest earners, so movers may have left the state for cheaper housing. Those living near the border may have left California to adjacent states.
The most popular county destinations for Californians were King County, Washington, Clark County, Nevada, and Maricopa County, Arizona. These three counties were the only counties with over 1,000 new movers from California.
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 county, state, and international levels. However, it misses low-income residents who choose not to file taxes. In 2020, IRS provided data on the returns of 31.7M out of 39.5M Californians.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of demographic trends and migration patterns, I'll provide a comprehensive analysis of the article on USAFacts regarding the migration of 725,000 people from California in 2020.
The information in the article is based on data from the IRS, specifically from filed tax returns, which is a reliable source for studying population movements. This dataset includes information at the county, state, and international levels, providing a nuanced perspective on migration patterns. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitation that the data may miss low-income residents who choose not to file taxes, highlighting the potential underrepresentation of certain demographic groups in the analysis.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Migration Patterns:
The article highlights the migration of 725,000 people from California in 2020. Texas emerged as the top destination for California transplants, with 105,000 individuals moving to the state. Arizona and Nevada followed with 63,000 and 55,000 transplants, respectively.
2. Net Migration:
California experienced a net gain in residents from four states: New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. However, the state saw a net loss of nearly 70,000 residents to Texas and 37,800 to Arizona.
3. Proportion of Transplants:
While Texas had the highest number of transplants, it's essential to consider the proportion within the destination states. Texas, being populous, had transplants from California making up only 0.36% of its 2021 population. In contrast, Nevada and Idaho had higher proportions, with 1.74% and 1.38%, respectively.
4. Reasons for Migration:
Although the article lacks specific data on reasons for migration in recent years, it refers to research from 2000 to 2019. Job-related factors, such as new job opportunities and easier commutes, were the most common reasons. Family-related reasons, including marriage and moving away from home, were the second most common.
5. County-Level Data:
The article provides insights into county-level migration factors. Counties near the Nevada or Oregon state borders and San Diego and San Francisco counties experienced the highest out-migration in 2020. Housing costs and income levels were cited as potential reasons for residents leaving California for adjacent states.
6. Popular County Destinations:
King County, Washington, Clark County, Nevada, and Maricopa County, Arizona, were identified as the most popular destinations for Californians. These counties each had over 1,000 new movers from California.
7. Data Source and Limitations:
The data is sourced from the IRS based on filed tax returns, offering a comprehensive view of migration trends. However, it's essential to acknowledge the limitation that the dataset may not include low-income residents who choose not to file taxes.
In conclusion, the article provides a well-rounded exploration of California's out-migration trends, offering insights into destination states, net migration, proportions, and potential reasons for the population shifts. The use of IRS data enhances the credibility of the analysis, though the limitation regarding the underrepresentation of certain groups should be kept in mind.
