Heritage Foundation Chief Economist EJ Antoni analyzes October and November employment reports, highlighting job losses among government bureaucrats and foreign-born workers in “The Bottom Line.”
Economic headwinds, particularly in the job market, have led to a “fundamental shift in U.S. migration patterns,” according to United Van Lines’ 49th Annual National Movers Study.
The study, released last week, showed that there is still a population movement from colder regions of the North and Midwest to warmer regions of the South and West.
Oregon tops the list this year with the highest percentage of inbound migration, with 65% of people settling in the state. The remaining 35% were people leaving, the data showed. Oregon has become the most popular state for immigrants looking for work. About 36% of the moves involved people seeking opportunities in the growing fields of technology and healthcare.
The Eugene-Springfield metro accounted for the largest number of inbound moves. Springfield, in particular, offers a lower cost of living than other Oregon metropolises and is relatively close to Eugene and Portland.
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Migration trends are primarily driven by the desire to be closer to family, followed by the job market, according to the report. However, aside from job opportunities, Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner said one of the major trends among states attracting the most inbound movers is affordability.
Migration trends are primarily driven by the desire to be closer to family, followed by the job market, according to the report. (Ty Wright/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This is well demonstrated by the half-ring of major inbound states surrounding California, while the Golden State registers as one of the major outbound states,” Berner said.
He added that movers looking for an affordable cost of living combined with plenty of job opportunities are targeting growing states like Oregon and South Carolina, where housing is relatively affordable and job opportunities abound.
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While Oregon is home to many high-paying tech jobs, Berner noted that South Carolina has become a major manufacturing state.
Oregon is home to many high-paying tech jobs. (Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
By comparison, more residents left New Jersey than any other state for the eighth year in a row. About 62% of state-related moves involved the departure of residents. But about 21% of inbound moves to New Jersey were among people ages 18 to 34, with the state considered a “launch state” for young families and those looking to start careers.
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Open house at a home for sale in Evesham Township, New Jersey. (Fox News)
New Jersey, according to Berner, has seen stronger price growth than much of the rest of the country. This may be attractive to older Americans, who could take advantage of the opportunity to sell their homes at a high price and retire elsewhere, including South Carolina.
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That would help them avoid high mortgage and property tax payments, he added.
States with the most inbound movements:
- Oregon
- West Virginia
- South Carolina
- Delaware
- Minnesota
- Idaho
- North Carolina
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Nevada
