2013 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Details America’s Relocation Trends

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blue arrows expanding Atlas, one of the nation’s leading movers, recently released its annual study “2013 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns,” which tracks the nation’s interstate (between states) moving patterns year-to-year. The most recent study found that the majority of America achieved a balance between inbound and outbound moves, while the total number of moves increased 6 percent from 2012.

Similar to last year’s study, the highest number of moves occurred in California, Texas and Florida. California took the top spot with 19 percent of total interstate moves in 2013, which totaled more than 14,500 moves. At 67 percent, North Dakota had the highest percentage of inbound moves. Connecticut and New York experienced the highest percentage of outbound moves, 60 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

“Our annual Migration Pattern study provides invaluable insights that relate not only to our industry, but our nation as a whole,” Jack Griffin, president and COO of Atlas World Group, said. “This year’s findings show more states are balanced between arriving and departing residents while increased overall moves could be an indicator of an improving economy.”

In 2013, the total number of interstate and inter-province moves jumped to 77,308 from 73,256 in 2012. The study also showed regional relocation trends, including:

Northern States

Northern states experienced significant change from 2012 to 2013: Pennsylvania went from balanced to outbound; Vermont and West Virginia both went from outbound to balanced; Delaware went from balanced to outbound; and Washington DC remains as the only northern location to be inbound for 11 consecutive years.

Southern States

Southern states did not experience change from 2012 to 2013. The majority of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states remain balanced with the exception of Tennessee and North Carolina, which both remain inbound states.

Midwestern States

Similar to 2012’s data, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Nebraska remained outbound while Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa remained balanced.

Western States

Although a few states in this region shifted from balanced to inbound (Montana and Idaho) and inbound to balanced (Washington), the majority of the Western Unites States is balanced.

By Shala Marks