The online news magazine of Atlas® World Group.
EVANSVILLE, IND. (January 3, 2023) – According to one of the nation’s leading movers Atlas® Van Lines’ Annual Migration Patterns Study, many people relocated to areas with growing populations in 2022, following two years of unprecedented economic and societal shifts. The company has published the annual study since 1993 that tracks the nation’s interstate, cross-border, and international moves based on internal data.
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Atlas Van Lines’ data shows that people are leaving some of the most affordable states like Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois, indicating cost of living is being surpassed by other motivations to move, like being closer to family. Overall, the Migration Patterns Study showed 13 U.S. states classified as outbound, meaning more people moved out of the state rather than in, and 13 U.S. states were classified as inbound, which indicates more people moved into the state rather than out.
The 10 U.S. states with the highest percentage of inbound and outbound moves in 2022 are included in order below. The fastest-growing state in 2022, Florida was once again a preferred destination for movers. North Carolina tops this year’s inbound list, and Illinois is designated as the country’s outbound leader, following New York’s four-year stand. Oregon was also one of the top outbound states for the first time in the last decade, following three consecutive years with a balanced status.
Atlas Van Lines’ data shows that people are leaving some of the most affordable states like Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois, indicating cost of living is being surpassed by other motivations to move, like being closer to family. Overall, the Migration Patterns Study showed 13 U.S. states classified as outbound, meaning more people moved out of the state rather than in, and 13 U.S. states were classified as inbound, which indicates more people moved into the state rather than out.
The 10 U.S. states with the highest percentage of inbound and outbound moves in 2022 are included in order below. The fastest-growing state in 2022, Florida was once again a preferred destination for movers. North Carolina tops this year’s inbound list, and Illinois is designated as the country’s outbound leader, following New York’s four-year stand. Oregon was also one of the top outbound states for the first time in the last decade, following three consecutive years with a balanced status.
Atlas® World Group International saw a 41.5% increase in international household goods moves in 2022, showcasing the impact of eased travel restrictions and increased mobility on international migration patterns. According to data reflecting the total number of international household moves completed, the top international origins and destinations for 2022 included the following:
Canadian Provinces
According to data reflecting U.S. interstate and cross-border moves, three Canadian provinces recorded a change from 2021 to 2022. Alberta and Québec both changed from balanced in 2021 to inbound and outbound, respectively, while British Columbia became balanced in 2022.
How status is determined
Each state's or province's status is determined by its threshold value, which is the total number of shipments multiplied by 0.55 (i.e., in a state with 100 moves, at least 55 must be outgoing to be considered outbound). All other states or provinces in which outbound or inbound numbers do not exceed the threshold are classified as balanced. Canadian interprovincial and cross-border (from the U.S. to Canada) shipments are both referenced in the study. International moves indicate both states and countries that Atlas World Group International sent the most shipments to from international origin countries in 2022.
About Atlas® Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines, Inc., a national moving company, is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, Inc., an Evansville, Indiana-based company. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 800 people throughout North America. Over 400 Atlas interstate moving Agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate relocation, household moving services, and in the specialized transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art, store fixtures, and furniture. For more information, visit www.atlasvanlines.com.
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