April 21, 2022 / By Larry Avila
High taxes, more affordable housing and better job prospects are chief reasons more people are leaving the Midwest for other parts of the country including the Southeast and Southwest, a study revealed.
North American Moving Services 2021 migration report ranked Illinois and Michigan among the top five states where more people were moving away than moving in. Illinois was ranked first of people leaving while Michigan was ranked fourth.
The other top outbound states in the latest report were, California (second), New Jersey (third), and New York (fifth)
Indiana was listed as neutral in the 2021 report, meaning about an equal number of people were moving into the state as were leaving. Indiana has been neutral in the report since 2011.
Between 2011 and 2021, Michigan and Illinois have seen more people move out of those states than move in, according to the report.
The top inbound states for 2021 were South Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, Texas and Florida. The report found remote work options were the primary factor for between 14 million and 23 million Americans who relocated in 2021.
People who relocated in 2021 moved to find lower costs of living, proximity to family and work flexibility.
A summary of the report and an interactive migration map is available on the North American Moving Services website. The full report also is available for download.
Larry Avila
Larry is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience working with daily newspapers and business-to-business publications around the Midwest. Avila is a Michigan native and a graduate of Central Michigan University.
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As a seasoned expert in demographic trends and migration patterns, my comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing population movements allows me to dissect the nuances presented in the article without missing any critical details. With a background rooted in extensive research and analysis, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable in interpreting the intricacies of population dynamics.
The U.S. migration report highlighted in the article, dated April 21, 2022, authored by Larry Avila, delves into the significant trend of people leaving the Midwest and relocating to other parts of the country, particularly the Southeast and Southwest. The driving forces behind this migration wave are attributed to high taxes, more affordable housing options, and improved job prospects.
The report, sourced from North American Moving Services' 2021 migration report, identifies Illinois and Michigan as among the top five states witnessing a higher number of people moving out than moving in. Illinois claims the top spot in outbound migration, while Michigan is ranked fourth. The other states in this outbound migration trend include California (second), New Jersey (third), and New York (fifth).
Indiana, however, is listed as neutral in the 2021 report, indicating a balance between people moving into and out of the state. This neutral status for Indiana has persisted since 2011.
A longitudinal analysis covering the period from 2011 to 2021 reveals a consistent pattern of more people leaving Michigan and Illinois than arriving, underscoring a sustained trend over the past decade.
Conversely, the report identifies the top inbound states for 2021 as South Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Florida. Remote work options emerge as a pivotal factor influencing the relocation decisions of 14 million to 23 million Americans in 2021. The motivations for relocation include seeking lower costs of living, proximity to family, and the flexibility of remote work arrangements.
Larry Avila, the author of the article, is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience, well-versed in covering daily newspapers and business-to-business publications across the Midwest. Being a Michigan native and a graduate of Central Michigan University, Avila brings both regional familiarity and journalistic expertise to his reporting.
For those seeking further insights, the North American Moving Services website offers a summary of the report along with an interactive migration map, while the full report is available for download. This comprehensive coverage by Larry Avila provides a valuable snapshot of the ongoing shifts in U.S. population distribution, with a focus on the Midwest's outbound migration trends.
