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Surprisingly, after a decade of record growth, Washington was actually not one of the most popular states to move to last year.
Charles Woodman and Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Charles Woodman and Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
SEATTLE — Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, the virus continues to influence the decisions of families across the country. Many choose to pack up their homes and move to different states to be closer to family, find a new job or trim living expenses.
Is this trend affecting Washington? Maybe. According to a new study conducted by United Van Lines, more people moved to Washington last year than left, but new residents were arriving in droves like they did just a few years ago.
The study, released annually in January, tracks state-to-state migration patterns using available company data. This year’s study found more Americans moved to less densely populated areas and to be closer to their families.
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“This new data … is indicative of COVID-19’s impact on domestic migration patterns, with 2021 bringing an acceleration of moves to smaller, midsized towns and cities,” Michael Stoll, economist and professor at the University of California - Los Angeles, said in a statement. “We’re seeing this not only occur because of Americans’ desire to leave high-density areas due to risk of infection, but also due to the transformation of how we’re able to work, with more flexibility to work remote.”
The 2021 study found more people moved to Vermont than any other state, while New Jersey topped the list for outbound movement. New Jersey has held the non-enviable spot for the last four years.
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In Washington, 51.5 percent of movers were coming into the state, while 48.5 percent were leaving it, according to the study. The most common reason for leaving was family, followed by jobs, and retirement. Despite skyrocketing rents and frequently-cited cost of living concerns, just 8 percent of residents said the cost was a factor for moving.
As for people moving to the Evergreen State, most said it was for a job (about 35 percent), 33 percent said it was for family reasons and 15 percent said it was to retire here.
Also surprising: the biggest movers were actually the oldest. Of new the new crop of Washingtonians, most (32 percent) were 65 and older. People between 55 and 64 made up another 20 percent of Washington's newest residents. However, the same was true for people fleeing the state, with nearly 30 percent of people leaving the state being 65 and older. 22 percent of ex-Washingtonians were between 35 and 44.
South Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia and Florida were also revealed as the top inbound states for 2021. Meanwhile, states including Illinois, New York, Connecticut and California again appeared on the list of top outbound states.
What motivated these moves? According to the study, 32 percent did so in order to be closer to family. Additionally, 32.5 percent of Americans moved for a new job or job transfer.
Amid the pandemic, many Generation Xers are joining baby boomers in retirement. While some are retiring to states such as Florida, the study reveals they’re not necessarily heading to heavily populated cities such as Orlando and Miami — they’re venturing to less-dense places such as Punta Gorda, Sarasota and Fort Myers-Cape Coral.
The top 10 inbound states of 2021 were:
- Vermont
- South Dakota
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Florida
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Rhode Island
The top outbound states were:
- New Jersey
- Illinois
- New York
- Connecticut
- California
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Louisiana
- Ohio
- Nebraska
See the full United Van Lines study.
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in demographic trends and migration patterns, particularly in the context of the United States, I am well-versed in the subject matter presented in the provided article. My knowledge extends to the factors influencing people's decisions to relocate, the impact of events such as the coronavirus pandemic on migration patterns, and the dynamics of state-to-state moves.
The article highlights the findings of a study conducted by United Van Lines, an established moving company, focusing on the migration trends in Washington state for the year 2021. The study, released annually in January, utilizes the company's data to track the movement of individuals and families between states.
Key Concepts Discussed in the Article:
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Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Migration Patterns:
- The article emphasizes that nearly two years into the pandemic, the virus continues to influence the decisions of families across the country.
- Individuals and families are reported to be moving to different states for reasons such as being closer to family, finding new job opportunities, or reducing living expenses.
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National Migration Trends:
- The study reveals a broader national trend where more Americans are moving to less densely populated areas, possibly driven by a desire to leave high-density areas due to the risk of infection.
- The transformation of work patterns, with increased flexibility for remote work, is also identified as a contributing factor to migration trends.
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Washington State Migration Statistics:
- Contrary to a decade of record growth, Washington was not among the most popular states to move to in the past year.
- According to the study, 51.5 percent of movers were coming into the state, while 48.5 percent were leaving it.
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Reasons for Moving:
- The most common reasons cited for leaving Washington were family, followed by job opportunities and retirement.
- Despite concerns about the cost of living, only 8 percent of residents mentioned it as a factor for moving.
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Demographic Trends:
- Surprisingly, the article notes that the biggest movers to Washington were the oldest individuals, with 32 percent of new residents being 65 and older.
- The study indicates that people between 55 and 64 made up another 20 percent of Washington's newest residents.
-
Top Inbound and Outbound States:
- The article lists the top inbound states for 2021, with Vermont leading the way. Meanwhile, New Jersey remained the top outbound state for the fourth consecutive year.
- The study provides insights into the motivations behind these moves, with reasons such as being closer to family and job opportunities.
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Retirement Trends:
- Amid the pandemic, the study suggests that many Generation Xers are joining baby boomers in retirement, and they are choosing less-dense places for retirement, such as Punta Gorda, Sarasota, and Fort Myers-Cape Coral.
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Top 10 Inbound and Outbound States:
- The article lists the top 10 inbound and outbound states based on the study, providing a comprehensive overview of the states that experienced the highest influx and outflow of residents in 2021.
This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing migration trends, both in Washington state and across the nation, shedding light on the complex interplay of demographic, economic, and societal factors shaping these patterns.
