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January 4, 2018

CT fourth highest state in out-migration

For the second year in a row, Connecticut is ranked the fourth highest state in the nation to experience high out-migration, according to a study by professional movers United Van Lines.

In 2017, 57 percent of moves by residents were directed out of the state, compared with 60 percent in 2016, according to the 41st Annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers’ state-to-state migration patterns.

Overall, Americans are moving westward, flocking to the Mountain and Pacific West, while the Northeast and Midwest continue to lose residents, said Melissa Sullivan, director of marketing communications at United Van Lines.

In 2017, of the outbound states, Connecticut’s loss of residents is surpassed only by New York (third), New Jersey (second) and Illinois (first). In 2016, Connecticut was ranked fourth as well, behind New Jersey, which was No. 1 and followed by Illinois and New York, Sullivan said.

Top inbound states are Vermont (first), followed by Oregon and Idaho.

In 2017, more residents moved out of Illinois than any other state with 63 percent of moves being outbound. Vermont had the highest percentage of inbound migration in 2017 with nearly 68 percent of moves to and from the state being inbound.

Massachusetts (56 percent) also joined the top outbound list this year coming in at No. 6.

“This year’s data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, especially to those where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors,” said Michael Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “We’re also seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West as young professionals and retirees leave California.”

United classifies states as “high inbound” if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, “high outbound” if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or “balanced” if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible. 

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