The Gem State is Moving up in the Ranks for American Moves
Residents of the US are relocating to Idaho more now than in the past years. The state of Idaho is moving up in the ranking of most popular 2019 moving destinations, according to the results of United Van Lines’ 43rd Annual National Movers Study.
This annual study tracks customers’ state-to-state migration patterns over the past year. In 2019, Idaho saw the highest percentage (67.4%) of inbound migration among states experiencing more than 250 moves* with United Van Lines
This is a first for Idaho in over 25 years! So, where are they coming from? Well, maybe New Jersey. For the second consecutive year, this study recorded more residents left New Jersey (68.5% of moves were outbound) than any other state.
United Van Lines recently released a study and its accompanying survey suggested that the Baby Boomer generation is on the move! This age group of Americans moved more than any other age group in 2019. As persons reach 55-74 years old, they start to retire and are looking for a change. This group accounted for more than 45% of all inbound United Van Lines moves.
Oregon follows Idaho as the second most popular moving destination nationally, with 65.7 % of moves being inbound (of 2,800 total moves). The Mountain West and Pacific West regions are hot locations as well. These states, including Arizona (63.2%), Washington (59.5%) and New Mexico (43.9%), continued to see higher percentages of inbound moves in 2019 and ranked in the top of the study results.
Another popular destination is the Southeastern region of the USA, among this region’s study, the most popular states are South Carolina (61.8%) & North Carolina (57.3%). These were key moving destinations in 2019. Retirement (24%) and job change (46%) were reported to be the biggest factors in these locations inbound moves. The top 10 “inbound state moves” lists included Florida (58.1%) for the first time since 2015. Florida ranked 7th overall as more residents flew south to Florida to retire (40.5%), in the warm sunny state & for general lifestyle changes (22.97%).
“Key factors like the Baby Boomer generation re-locating upon reaching retirement age as well as states’ economic performances and housing costs drove these 2019 moving patterns,” said Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “United Van Lines’ study encompasses data consistent with the broader migration trends to western and southern regions that we’ve been seeing for several years now.”
This yearly study by United Van Lines’ National Movers reveals their business data of inbound/outbound moves on a state-by-state basis. United Van Lines also conducts a survey, in conjunction with the study, to track motivations behind these move migration patterns. The survey shows that one out every two people who moved with United Van Lines in 2019 moved for a new job or company transfer. To no surprise, Washington, D.C. saw the largest number of inbound moves due to a new job/company transfer at a whopping 78%!
The Northeastern states are losing the attention of North American movers, as New Jersey (68.5%), New York (63.1%) and Connecticut (63%) were all included among the top 10 outbound states for the 5th year in a row. Many responders stated they were leaving for retirement (26.85%) or new job/company transfer (40.12%).
According to the survey results, the exodus from the Midwest states including Illinois (66.5%), Kansas (58.5%), Ohio (57.8%), Michigan (56.9%) and Iowa (55%), was primarily due to a desire to retire elsewhere (22.8%) and for a new job/company transfer (51%). Each of these locations returned to the list of top 10 outbound states in 2019.
“For more than 40 years now, this study and survey offers year-over-year insights into where and why Americans are moving,” said Eily Cummings, director of corporate communications at United Van Lines. “United Van Lines, as the nation’s largest household goods mover, is uniquely able to identify the year’s most and least popular moving destinations for Americans through our annual National Movers Study.”
California (43.1%) was new to the top 10 outbound in 2019 Beating out New Jersey (68.5%) has held a spot in the top 10 outbound states for the past 11 years. Of those who left California in 2019, nearly 2 out of 5 (39.02%) cited a new job/company transfer as their reason for moving.
Several states are experiencing nearly no change, according to the study, having nearly the same number of residents moving in as out. Maine and Oklahoma are among these states.
Although Vermont experienced the highest percentage of inbound moves overall, United Van Lines moved fewer than 250 families in and out of the state. The inbound and outbound rankings in this year’s study only reflect states with 250 moves or more.
To view the entire 2019 study, an interactive map and archived press releases and photos from United, please visit the United Van Lines website.
