Americans are less likely to move today than at any point in recent history. Over the 12 months ending in March 2019, the share of Americans who moved to a new home dipped below 10% for the first time since the U.S. Census Bureau began keeping track in 1947.
Still, an average of 35 million Americans have moved every year since 2010 — and in some cities, people are leaving much faster than they are arriving. To determine the cities Americans are abandoning in every state, 24/7 Wall St. used data from the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program and identified the metro area with the largest net-migration decline from April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 in every state.
Net migration is the difference between the number of new residents — either from other parts of the country or from abroad — and the number of residents who have moved elsewhere. It is not a measure of total population change, which is also a product of births and deaths.
It is important to note that four states — Delaware, New Hampshire. Rhode Island, and Vermont — have only one metropolitan area each, and each case reported a net migration increase. Additionally, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming have no metro areas with a net migration decline between 2010 and 2018 .
Some of the most commonly cited reasons for packing up and moving to a new city are related to employment. Last year, more than one in every five moves were prompted by work-related reasons. In many of the cities Americans are abandoning, job availability is relatively low, as most have unemployment rates as high or higher than the 3.6% national rate. Here is a look at the hardest states to find full-time work.
Click here to see the cities Americans are abandoning in every state
Click here to see the cities Americans are flocking to in every state
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
1. Alabama: Montgomery
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -12,144 (-3.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -1,316 (-0.4%)
> 2018 population: 373,225
> Median household income: $51,943
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.7%
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. Alaska: Fairbanks
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -8,736 (-9.0%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +1,386 (+1.4%)
> 2018 population: 98,971
> Median household income: $75,448
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.3%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: razyph / Getty Images
3. Arizona: Sierra Vista-Douglas
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -7,484 (-5.7%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -4,587 (-3.5%)
> 2018 population: 126,770
> Median household income: $50,495
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.5%
Source: Paul Sableman (Flickr user: pasa47) / Wikimedia Commons
4. Arkansas: Pine Bluff
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -11,360 (-11.3%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -10,775 (-10.7%)
> 2018 population: 89,515
> Median household income: $37,314
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.3%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: David Crockett Photo / Getty Images
5. California: Hanford-Corcoran
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -14,567 (-9.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -1,616 (-1.1%)
> 2018 population: 151,366
> Median household income: $61,663
> January 2020 unemployment: 7.6%
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images
6. Colorado: None
[in-text-ad]
7. Connecticut: Norwich-New London
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -9,732 (-3.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -7,284 (-2.7%)
> 2018 population: 266,784
> Median household income: $67,197
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.6%
Source: Harry Collins / Getty Images
8. Delaware: None
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
9. Florida: None
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
10. Georgia: Hinesville
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -8,248 (-10.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +2,576 (+3.3%)
> 2018 population: 80,495
> Median household income: $47,234
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.5%
Source: Art Wager / Getty Images
11. Hawaii: Urban Honolulu
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -19,098 (-2.0%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +26,874 (+2.8%)
> 2018 population: 980,080
> Median household income: $84,423
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.5%
[in-text-ad]
Source: Ethan Prater from San Bruno, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons
12. Idaho: Pocatello
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -647 (-0.8%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +4,296 (+5.2%)
> 2018 population: 87,138
> Median household income: $50,748
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.7%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons
13. Illinois: Danville
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -5,455 (-6.7%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -4,819 (-5.9%)
> 2018 population: 76,806
> Median household income: $43,655
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.9%
Source: lydiabilby / Getty Images
14. Indiana: Muncie
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -2,889 (-2.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -2,892 (-2.5%)
> 2018 population: 114,772
> Median household income: $41,662
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.8%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: dustin77a / Getty Images
15. Iowa: Sioux City
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -6,978 (-4.1%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +482 (+0.3%)
> 2018 population: 169,045
> Median household income: $61,576
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.8%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
16. Kansas: Manhattan
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -2,405 (-2.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +5,240 (+5.7%)
> 2018 population: 97,980
> Median household income: $49,200
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.8%
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. Kentucky: Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -811 (-0.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +5,038 (+3.4%)
> 2018 population: 153,378
> Median household income: $51,147
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.2%
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
18. Louisiana: Shreveport-Bossier City
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -17,484 (-4.0%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -3,470 (-0.8%)
> 2018 population: 436,341
> Median household income: $41,969
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.5%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
19. Maine: Lewiston-Auburn
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -1,753 (-1.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -31 (-0.0%)
> 2018 population: 107,679
> Median household income: $49,697
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.9%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: John M. Chase / Getty Images
20. Maryland: Cumberland
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -2,899 (-2.8%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -5,330 (-5.2%)
> 2018 population: 97,915
> Median household income: $44,607
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.3%
Source: devardhan / Wikimedia Commons
21. Massachusetts: Pittsfield
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -1,606 (-1.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -4,927 (-3.8%)
> 2018 population: 126,348
> Median household income: $60,476
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.5%
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
22. Michigan: Flint
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -23,255 (-5.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -18,897 (-4.4%)
> 2018 population: 406,892
> Median household income: $48,127
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.7%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: taarnes / Getty Images
23. Minnesota: Duluth
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -450 (-0.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -977 (-0.3%)
> 2018 population: 278,799
> Median household income: $53,767
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.3%
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
24. Mississippi: Jackson
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -6,810 (-1.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +12,534 (+2.2%)
> 2018 population: 580,166
> Median household income: $55,700
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.8%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: 25or6to4 / Wikimedia Commons
25. Missouri: St. Joseph
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -2,781 (-2.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -837 (-0.7%)
> 2018 population: 126,490
> Median household income: $53,321
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.1%
Source: leezsnow / Getty Images
26. Montana: Great Falls
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -2,252 (-2.8%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +320 (+0.4%)
> 2018 population: 81,643
> Median household income: $49,948
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.3%
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Nebraska: Grand Island
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -502 (-0.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +3,238 (+4.0%)
> 2018 population: 85,088
> Median household income: $54,235
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.5%
Source: KiskaMedia / Getty Images
28. Nevada: None
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
29. New Hampshire: None
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: shakzu / Getty Images
30. New Jersey: Vineland-Bridgeton
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -10,118 (-6.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -5,661 (-3.6%)
> 2018 population: 150,972
> Median household income: $52,795
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.7%
Source: AllenS / Wikimedia Commons
31. New Mexico: Farmington
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -11,873 (-9.1%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -5,002 (-3.8%)
> 2018 population: 125,043
> Median household income: $44,841
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.7%
[in-text-ad]
32. New York: Watertown-Fort Drum
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -14,329 (-12.3%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -4,479 (-3.9%)
> 2018 population: 111,755
> Median household income: $53,146
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.8%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: fallbrook / Getty Images
33. North Carolina: Rocky Mount
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -7,021 (-4.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -6,354 (-4.2%)
> 2018 population: 146,021
> Median household income: $46,733
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.0%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
34. North Dakota: Grand Forks
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -1,071 (-1.1%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +3,835 (+3.9%)
> 2018 population: 102,299
> Median household income: $54,659
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.6%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio: Lima
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -5,125 (-4.8%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -3,652 (-3.4%)
> 2018 population: 102,663
> Median household income: $49,063
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.2%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
36. Oklahoma: Lawton
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -11,422 (-8.8%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -4,090 (-3.1%)
> 2018 population: 126,198
> Median household income: $52,034
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.5%
[in-text-ad]
Source: mdurson / Getty Images
37. Oregon: None
Source: Jupiterimages / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania: Johnstown
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -7,980 (-5.6%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -11,951 (-8.3%)
> 2018 population: 131,730
> Median household income: $45,084
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.6%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
39. Rhode Island: None
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: makasana / Getty Images
40. South Carolina: Sumter
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -4,323 (-4.0%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -978 (-0.9%)
> 2018 population: 106,512
> Median household income: $45,994
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.9%
Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
41. South Dakota: None
[in-text-ad]
Source: csfotoimages / iStock
42. Tennessee: Memphis
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -32,900 (-2.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +25,791 (+1.9%)
> 2018 population: 1.4 million
> Median household income: $50,338
> January 2020 unemployment: 4.1%
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
43. Texas: Brownsville-Harlingen
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -20,487 (-5.0%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +17,693 (+4.4%)
> 2018 population: 423,908
> Median household income: $38,378
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.6%
44. Utah: Logan
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -680 (-0.5%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +15,352 (+12.2%)
> 2018 population: 140,794
> Median household income: $59,414
> January 2020 unemployment: 1.9%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
45. Vermont: None
Source: Oliver Kawwass / Getty Images
46. Virginia: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -20,469 (-1.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +51,910 (+3.1%)
> 2018 population: 1.7 million
> Median household income: $65,604
> January 2020 unemployment: 2.9%
[in-text-ad]
Source: BehindTheLens / Getty Images
47. Washington: Yakima
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -9,471 (-3.9%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +8,206 (+3.4%)
> 2018 population: 251,446
> Median household income: $51,555
> January 2020 unemployment: 6.8%
48. West Virginia: Charleston
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -12,194 (-5.4%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: -16,023 (-7.1%)
> 2018 population: 211,037
> Median household income: $40,806
> January 2020 unemployment: 5.0%
Source: Aneese / iStock
49. Wisconsin: Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis
> Population change due to migration, 2010-2018: -33,585 (-2.2%)
> Overall population change, 2010-2018: +20,159 (+1.3%)
> 2018 population: 1.6 million
> Median household income: $60,643
> January 2020 unemployment: 3.7%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: SeanXu / Getty Images
50. Wyoming: None
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.