Domestic migration by state
North Carolina gained more residents from the rest of the country than any other state in the year to June 2025, a net 84,064, ahead of Texas (67,299) and South Carolina (66,622). California lost the most people to other states (−229,077), followed by New York (−137,586) and Illinois (−40,0171).
Data as of March 20, 2026 (newest release used on this page).
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025; Census Bureau, 2024 Cartographic Boundary Files. Darker states are higher; DC is the dot. Period: April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025.
| 1 | North Carolina | 84,064 | 7.6 | 476,921 | 69,108 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Texas | 67,299 | 2.1 | 812,735 | 112,481 |
| 3 | South Carolina | 66,622 | 12.1 | 379,062 | 59,102 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 42,389 | 5.8 | 292,727 | 42,899 |
| 5 | Arizona | 31,107 | 4.1 | 282,626 | 27,127 |
| 6 | Georgia | 27,333 | 2.4 | 232,849 | 35,536 |
| 7 | Alabama | 23,358 | 4.5 | 141,048 | 16,337 |
| 8 | Florida | 22,517 | 1.0 | 890,348 | 111,742 |
| 9 | Idaho | 19,915 | 9.9 | 139,784 | 12,739 |
| 10 | Nevada | 14,914 | 4.6 | 96,046 | 11,558 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 14,492 | 3.5 | 107,244 | 12,589 |
| 12 | Arkansas | 14,475 | 4.7 | 83,544 | 11,211 |
| 13 | Missouri | 14,028 | 2.2 | 56,671 | 8,839 |
| 14 | Indiana | 12,197 | 1.8 | 41,968 | 4,837 |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,926 | 1.0 | −30,482 | −6,312 |
| 16 | Washington | 9,238 | 1.2 | −12,979 | −29 |
| 17 | Minnesota | 8,300 | 1.4 | −37,202 | −7,561 |
| 18 | Maine | 7,406 | 5.3 | 56,775 | 6,497 |
| 19 | Kentucky | 7,269 | 1.6 | 35,818 | 5,861 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 6,984 | 1.2 | 9,667 | 2,753 |
| 21 | Delaware | 6,855 | 6.5 | 53,212 | 7,803 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | 6,554 | 4.6 | 36,247 | 4,195 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 6,408 | 3.6 | 16,553 | 3,137 |
| 24 | Montana | 6,348 | 5.6 | 59,510 | 5,332 |
| 25 | Virginia | 6,268 | 0.7 | −29,169 | −42 |
| 26 | Utah | 3,343 | 1.0 | 54,893 | 1,197 |
| 27 | Oregon | 2,228 | 0.5 | −670 | −4,774 |
| 28 | South Dakota | 2,169 | 2.3 | 23,257 | 2,412 |
| 29 | Michigan | 1,796 | 0.2 | −65,699 | −8,442 |
| 30 | Wyoming | 1,474 | 2.5 | 8,684 | 375 |
| 31 | North Dakota | 512 | 0.6 | −6,050 | −757 |
| 32 | Nebraska | −366 | −0.2 | −14,092 | −1,902 |
| 33 | Kansas | −519 | −0.2 | −24,277 | −4,048 |
| 34 | Vermont | −726 | −1.1 | 5,385 | 84 |
| 35 | Mississippi | −917 | −0.3 | −22,888 | −3,142 |
| 36 | Iowa | −970 | −0.3 | −10,148 | −1,467 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | −1,551 | −1.4 | −10,150 | −1,068 |
| 38 | New Mexico | −2,267 | −1.1 | −10,540 | −1,924 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | −2,936 | −0.2 | −54,290 | −14,880 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | −4,128 | −6.0 | −33,903 | −2,568 |
| 41 | Alaska | −4,525 | −6.1 | −24,270 | −4,149 |
| 42 | Connecticut | −5,945 | −1.6 | −27,919 | −4,767 |
| 43 | Hawaii | −8,876 | −6.2 | −59,402 | −6,825 |
| 44 | Colorado | −12,100 | −2.0 | 17,729 | 7,288 |
| 45 | Maryland | −12,127 | −1.9 | −134,770 | −20,112 |
| 46 | Louisiana | −14,387 | −3.1 | −143,806 | −17,333 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | −33,340 | −4.7 | −182,145 | −28,367 |
| 48 | New Jersey | −37,428 | −3.9 | −222,194 | −29,871 |
| 49 | Illinois | −40,017 | −3.2 | −456,378 | −54,182 |
| 50 | New York | −137,586 | −6.9 | −1,106,013 | −157,970 |
| 51 | California | −229,077 | −5.8 | −1,691,867 | −200,547 |
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025; IRS Statistics of Income (SOI), SOI Tax Stats - Migration Data 2022-2023. Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. "=" marks a tie at the displayed precision.
The states gaining the most residents
Net domestic migration is the number of people who moved into a state from elsewhere in the United States minus the number who moved out to other states. In the year to June 2025, 31 states had more arrivals than departures. Behind the three leaders came Tennessee (42,389), Arizona (31,107) and Georgia (27,3331).
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Net domestic migration 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 84,064 |
| Texas | 67,299 |
| South Carolina | 66,622 |
| Tennessee | 42,389 |
| Arizona | 31,107 |
| Georgia | 27,333 |
| Alabama | 23,358 |
| Florida | 22,517 |
| Idaho | 19,915 |
| Nevada | 14,914 |
Most of the top ten are in the Census Bureau's South region; the exceptions are three Western states, Arizona, Idaho (19,915) and Nevada (14,914). The leaders in the other two regions gained far less: Missouri in the Midwest (14,028) and Maine in the Northeast (7,406). The middle state of the 51 gained 3,3431.
The states losing the most residents
20 states, counting DC, lost more people to the rest of the country than they gained: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The losses are heavily concentrated. After California, New York and Illinois, the next largest were in New Jersey (−37,428) and Massachusetts (−33,340). Below those five the losses are much smaller; the largest of the rest was in Louisiana (−14,3871).
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Net domestic migration 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | −5,945 |
| Hawaii | −8,876 |
| Colorado | −12,100 |
| Maryland | −12,127 |
| Louisiana | −14,387 |
| Massachusetts | −33,340 |
| New Jersey | −37,428 |
| Illinois | −40,017 |
| New York | −137,586 |
| California | −229,077 |
Louisiana lost the most in the South, and Colorado (−12,1001) lost the most in the West after California. Losing residents to other states does not always mean a shrinking population: births and arrivals from abroad also count (see below).
Counting per resident changes the order
Large states move large numbers of people. Dividing the net figure by the population gives a rate per 1,000 residents, which shows how much domestic moves changed each state. On that measure South Carolina leads (12.1 per 1,000 residents), followed by Idaho (9.9 per 1,000 residents), North Carolina (7.6 per 1,000 residents) and Delaware (6.5 per 1,000 residents1).
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025. Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Net domestic migration rate per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | 12.1 |
| Idaho | 9.9 |
| North Carolina | 7.6 |
| Delaware | 6.5 |
| Tennessee | 5.8 |
| Montana | 5.6 |
| Maine | 5.3 |
| Arkansas | 4.7 |
| New Hampshire | 4.6 |
| Nevada | 4.6 |
| Alabama | 4.5 |
| Arizona | 4.1 |
| West Virginia | 3.6 |
| Oklahoma | 3.5 |
| Wyoming | 2.5 |
Small states rise. Montana (5.6 per 1,000 residents, 6th highest), Maine (5.2 per 1,000 residents) and New Hampshire (4.6 per 1,000 residents) all gained more relative to their size than Texas, which is 19th highest at 2.1 per 1,000 residents. Florida's rate, 1.0 per 1,000 residents, puts it tied for 25th highest1, in the middle of the 51.
At the other end, New York (−6.9 per 1,000 residents) lost the largest share of its population, followed by Hawaii (−6.2 per 1,000 residents), Alaska (−6.1 per 1,000 residents) and the District of Columbia (−6.0 per 1,000 residents). Alaska's net figure (−4,525) is small in number but 3rd lowest per resident. California, by far the largest loser in numbers, is 5th lowest on the rate (−5.8 per 1,000 residents1).
Florida, then Texas, now North Carolina
The top of the list has changed hands twice since the 2020 Census. Florida led in the years to June 2021 and June 2022, peaking at 310,892. Texas led in 2023 (188,667) and 2024 (86,067). In 2025 North Carolina1 moved to first with a gain close to its 2024 figure, while the gains of Texas and Florida shrank.
| North Carolina | 103,627 | 98,454 | 98,929 | 83,059 | 84,064 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 199,360 | 218,840 | 188,667 | 86,067 | 67,299 |
| South Carolina | 68,406 | 83,341 | 79,536 | 66,367 | 66,622 |
| Tennessee | 46,401 | 82,316 | 60,397 | 46,496 | 42,389 |
| Arizona | 84,233 | 68,315 | 34,804 | 34,303 | 31,107 |
| Georgia | 37,079 | 79,102 | 52,348 | 25,403 | 27,333 |
| Florida | 253,220 | 310,892 | 183,646 | 58,411 | 22,517 |
| Illinois | −108,364 | −149,904 | −79,784 | −53,080 | −40,017 |
| New York | −326,190 | −284,910 | −177,852 | −119,231 | −137,586 |
| California | −470,759 | −344,130 | −343,891 | −241,611 | −229,077 |
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025.
Florida's net gain fell in each of the last three years, from 310,892 to 183,646, 58,411 and 22,517, and it dropped to 8th highest. Texas went from 218,840 to 67,299 over the same years. North Carolina, by contrast, gained between 83,059 and 103,627 in every year from 2021 to 2025, and South Carolina between 66,367 and 83,3411.
The biggest losses have been shrinking as well. California's net domestic migration was −470,759 in the year to June 2021 and −229,077 in the year to June 2025; Illinois moved from −149,904 in 2022 to −40,017. New York's loss narrowed in 2024 (−119,231) and widened again in 2025 (−137,5861).
States that switched direction
Several states that lost residents to the rest of the country for most of the 2020s gained in 2025. Michigan and Minnesota had net losses in each year from 2021 to 2024 and gains in 2025 (1,796 and 8,300). Ohio's net figure moved from −32,482 in 2021 to 11,926 in 2025, and Washington's from −17,511 in 2023 to 9,238. Virginia gained in 2024 and 2025 after losses in each of the three years before, the largest in 2022 (−26,0891). All of them still show a net loss over the whole period since April 2020.
| Ohio | −32,482 | −6,882 | 1,045 | −1,339 | 11,926 | −30,482 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | −14,999 | −3,314 | −17,511 | 1,728 | 9,238 | −12,979 |
| Minnesota | −14,970 | −17,106 | −11,777 | −204 | 8,300 | −37,202 |
| Virginia | −3,666 | −26,089 | −8,117 | 2,461 | 6,268 | −29,169 |
| Oregon | 9,670 | −8,946 | −7,370 | −1,736 | 2,228 | −670 |
| Michigan | −28,290 | −9,107 | −17,137 | −8,065 | 1,796 | −65,699 |
| Vermont | 4,838 | 1,111 | 782 | −568 | −726 | 5,385 |
| Pennsylvania | 28,598 | −40,586 | −24,570 | −11,252 | −2,936 | −54,290 |
| Colorado | 6,200 | 5,425 | 6,008 | 4,995 | −12,100 | 17,729 |
Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025.
Colorado moved the other way. It had small net gains in each year from 2021 to 2024, then had a net loss in the year to June 2025 (−12,100, 8th lowest). Vermont gained in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and lost in 2024 and 2025. Pennsylvania gained 28,598 in 2021, 10th highest that year, and has lost residents to other states every year since, though the loss was much smaller in 2025 (−2,9361).
Totals since the 2020 Census
Adding up every year from April 2020 to June 2025 gives a longer view. Florida gained 890,348 residents from other states and Texas 812,735, far ahead of North Carolina (476,921). At the other end were California (−1,691,867) and New York (−1,106,013), followed by Illinois (−456,3781).
Over the whole period the split is almost even: 26 states gained and 25 lost, counting DC. Most of the Midwest is on the losing side; Missouri gained the most there (56,671), about as much as Maine, the largest gainer in the Northeast (56,7751).
Domestic losses and arrivals from abroad
Domestic migration is one part of population change. Arrivals from other countries are counted separately as international migration, and in several states they outweighed the loss to other states. In the year to June 2025 Illinois had net domestic migration of −40,017 but gained 44,752 from abroad, for total net migration of 4,735. New Jersey (15,636), Pennsylvania (23,985) and Massachusetts (6,9001) also had positive net migration overall despite domestic losses.
In California and New York the domestic loss was larger than international arrivals: their total net migration was −119,799 and −41,9521. The population growth ranking combines migration with births and deaths.
What tax returns show
The IRS publishes its own migration data from the addresses on individual income tax returns, comparing returns filed in 2022 with those filed in 2023. They count the people listed on the returns and cover a different period from the Census Bureau year, so the two series do not match exactly. The order is similar: Texas (112,481) and Florida (111,742) gained the most, and California (−200,547) and New York (−157,9702) lost the most.
The IRS figures also show the gross flows behind the net. Florida received 605,238 people on tax returns from other states and sent out 493,496. California received 389,700 and sent out 590,247: the state with the largest net loss still took in hundreds of thousands of movers. Measured by the adjusted gross income on movers' returns, Florida had the largest net gain ($20.6 billion) and California the largest net loss (−$11.9 billion2).
Reading the figures correctly
- The year runs July to June. "2025" here means July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The total since 2020 starts at the census date, April 1, 2020.
- Net, not gross. A small net figure can hide large flows in both directions, as the IRS numbers above show.
- Gains and losses cancel out nationally. Every move between states is a gain for one and a loss for another, so the 51 figures add up to zero.
- Estimates are revised. Each new vintage revises every year back to 2020. Vintage 2026, due in December 2026, will replace these figures, including the 2025 values.
- States only. This site covers states and DC; it does not rank cities or metro areas.
Questions about moving between states
What state are most people moving to?
North Carolina. Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 it gained 84,064 more residents from other states than it lost, according to the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates. Measured against population, South Carolina gained the most (12.1 per 1,000 residents1).
What state are people leaving the most?
California had the largest net loss to other states in the year to June 2025 (−229,077), as it did in every year from 2021 to 2025. Relative to population, New York lost the most (−6.9 per 1,000 residents1).
Is Florida still the top state people move to?
Not in the latest year. Florida led in 2021 and 2022, but its net gain from other states fell to 22,517 in the year to June 2025, 8th highest. Over the whole period from April 2020 to June 2025 it still gained more than any other state (890,3481).
Where do these numbers come from?
From the Census Bureau's population estimates, which split each state's yearly change into births, deaths, international migration and domestic migration. Domestic migration is estimated mainly from address changes on federal tax returns and Medicare records (Census Bureau note on the data sources). It is not based on moving-company shipments or truck rentals.
Related rankings
Sources
- Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025; released January 27, 2026. www2.census.gov
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI), SOI Tax Stats - Migration Data 2022-2023; released March 20, 2026. www.irs.gov
- Census Bureau, 2024 Cartographic Boundary Files; table cb_2024_us_state_20m; 2024; released April 10, 2025. www2.census.gov
Margins of error (±) are at the 90% confidence level. A difference is called significant only when it passes the Census Bureau's test at that level. How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.