I Wanna Retire!!

simba
Sat, 20 Jan 2007 07:46:29 +0000

Where’d Everybody Go?
By Broderick Perkins, Realty Times

Americans were more likely to pull up roots in the Northeast and across the Rust Belt and put down stakes in the West and Southwest last year, according to a migration study by the nation’s largest mover.

St. Louis, MO-based United Van Lines’ “2006 Migration Study” of 227,254 interstate household moves in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. reveals a definitive migration pattern in the nation – at least among those who used the mover’s service.

United classifies each state as either “high inbound” (55 percent or more of the moves were into the state); “high outbound” (55 percent or more of moves out); or “balanced.”

Most states were “balanced,” but 12 states and the District of Columbia revealed definite inbound patterns while nine states revealed the opposite.

The South was a big draw as North Carolina came in as the top destination with a 64 percent inbound rate. Out West, Oregon was the second most popular inbound state at 62.5 percent.

Other states with high inbound rates were South Carolina, 60 percent; Nevada, 59.9 percent; Idaho, 59.3 percent; New Mexico and the District of Columbia, 57.9 percent; Alabama, 57.5 percent; Utah, 56 percent; Tennessee, 55.8 percent, and Montana, 55 percent.

On the outbound trail, Michigan tied with North Dakota for the top 66 percent outbound rate, followed by New Jersey, 60.9 percent; New York, 59.5 percent; Indiana, 58.2 percent; Pennsylvania, 57.0 percent; Louisiana, 56.4 percent and Ohio, 55.8 percent.

The study also found:

After being outbound last year, Nebraska, at 52.5 percent inbound in 2006, had 3.2 percent more moves into the state compared to 2005.
The year 2006 marked the first time in 25 years that Minnesota, at 51.3 percent inbound, saw more people moving in than moving out.
Missouri at 51.8 percent outbound, continued its 12-year outbound trend as 1 percent more residents left in 2006 compared to 2005.
Wisconsin, at 53.2 percent outbound, witnessed its lowest outbound influx since 2000.
Reeling less from Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana’s 56.4 percent outbound rate reflects 1.5 percent fewer people shipped out by United than those in 2005.
Considered a balanced state, Oklahoma, 50.0 percent inbound, saw a 3 percent increase over last year’s numbers.
California and Florida may be perceived as inbound states but they are also listed as “balanced” states and actually lean toward being outbound. California had a 53.9 percent outbound rate while Florida’s was 51.2 percent.

“Go West” has begun to take on new meaning.