Jan 7, 2007 – A strong mobility pattern continued in 2006 as many Americans packed up their belongings and headed to the West and Southeast parts of the country, while the Central Northeast region of the country experienced an increase in residents departing. The statistics are among the findings of United Van Line’s 30th annual “migration” study that tracks where its customers, over the last 12 months, moved from and the most popular destinations. The findings were announced by Carl Walter, vice president of United Van Lines, the nation’s largest household goods mover.
United has tracked shipment patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. For 2006, the accounting is based on the 227,254 interstate household moves handled by United among the 48 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C. In its study, United classifies each state in one of three categories — “high inbound” (55% or more of moves going into a state); “high outbound” (55% or more of moves coming out of a state); or “balanced.” Although the majority of states were in the “balanced” category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts.
Moving In
Known for hospitality and gracious style, the Southeast states welcomed many new residents in 2006, with North Carolina coming in as the top destination (64.0% inbound). South Carolina (60.6%) continued its 13-year inbound tradition, while Alabama (57.5%) experienced its fourth year as a high-inbound location. Although Tennesseesaw less people move in this year (55.8% in 2006; 58.0% in 2005), it still captured a spot on the high-inbound list.
Although not considered “high inbound,” other southeastern states also greeted new residents. Kentucky (52.9%) continued its five-year inbound trend; Georgia (53.9%) continued its 25-year trend as an inbound state; andMississippi (50.1%) boasted a 3.2% increase in moves to its state as compared to 2005.
Supporting the idea that Americans still believe there is fortune to be found in the West, the Western portion of the country emerged as a top migration spot. Capturing the No. 2-inbound ranking, Oregon (62.5%) sustained its 19-year, high-inbound trend. While still a high-inbound state, Arizona (55.4%) saw roughly 5% less people move in than last year; however, Nevada (59.9%) continued its lucky streak of being high inbound since 1986.
Both New Mexico (57.9% inbound; a 3.7% increase) and Utah (56.0% inbound; nearly 6% increase) saw a rise of incoming residents as compared to last year’s data. Idaho’s (59.3% inbound) high-inbound ranking has held steady for the past 19 years; and Montana (55.0% inbound) retained its five-year inbound status.
Although not considered “high inbound,” other Western states witnessed increases of incoming moves as compared to last year: Colorado (54.7% inbound) continued its four-year inbound trend and had 1.2% increase, and Wyoming (54.4% inbound) boasted a 4.3% increase.
Rounding out the of high-inbound list are Washington, D.C. (57.9%), which has remained inbound since the first year of the study, and South Dakota (55.9%), which enjoyed its first high-inbound year since 1994.
Some other noteworthy inbound-migration states in 2006:
- Texas (54.6%) continued inbound movement since 1989 and saw slightly (0.7%) more people move in as compared to last year.
- After being outbound last year, Nebraska (52.5% inbound) turned a new leaf and has 3.2% more moves in as compared to 2005.
- Although it is considered a balanced state, Oklahoma (50.0%) saw a 3% increase over last year’s numbers.
- This year marked the first time in 25 years that Minnesota (51.3%) saw more people entering than leaving.
- California (52.4%) saw its lowest outbound percentage in four years.
- Missouri (51.8%) continued its 12-year outbound trend and had 1% more residents leave as compared to last year.
- Wisconsin (53.2%) witnessed its lowest outbound influx since 2000.