Texans have long had a reputation for taking pride in their state’s size and its notable place in U.S. history. A few weeks after declaring independence from Mexico in 1836, the state’s forces defeated Mexican troops, and Texas existed as an independent republic until it was admitted to the Union as a state nearly a decade later. That legacy endures in the state’s flag: a large white lone “Star of Destiny” on a red, white, and blue banner, a contrast to the national flag’s spangle of 50 small stars representing national unity.
Texas is huge, but it remains second among U.S. states in both geographic size (to Alaska) and population (to California). That could someday change, demographically speaking. (Unlike growing Texas, here are America’s fastest shrinking cities.)
While Texas still has about 10 million fewer residents than California — 29.1 million compared to 39.5 million — the Lone Star State’s population is growing at a faster pace than the Golden State’s. The Texas population increased by 4 million more residents, or 16%, between the 2010 and 2020 census surveys, compared to California’s 6.5% gain of 2.4 million people in the same period of time. Texas’ population growth has been so robust in the past decade, the state was the only one to gain two congressional seats based on the 2020 census. Here’s how every state’s population has changed since 2010.
While Texas has experienced robust population growth, people are, of course, also moving out of the state every year. For example, in 2019, Texas gained nearly 560,000 new residents. At the same time, over 450,000 Texans moved out of the state. Where do Texans move to? To find out, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Here’s a list of the states where Texans are moving to the most.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, revealing the number of people living in other states (or Washington D.C.) in 2019 who had lived in Texas the previous year. State population and population change figures are based on one-year estimates from the ACS (five-year estimates for Washington D.C.). It is important to note that our list does not include New York state, and all rankings are out of a universe of 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
50. Maine
> People from Texas who moved to Maine in 2019: 459 (+0.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +5,808 (+0.4% — 18th largest)
> Total population: 1,344,212 (10th smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images
49. Delaware
> People from Texas who moved to Delaware in 2019: 744 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +6,593 (+0.7% — 13th largest)
> Total population: 973,764 (7th smallest)
Source: miroslav_1 / Getty Images
48. Montana
> People from Texas who moved to Montana in 2019: 780 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +6,473 (+0.6% — 15th largest)
> Total population: 1,068,778 (9th smallest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
47. New Hampshire
> People from Texas who moved to New Hampshire in 2019: 892 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +3,253 (+0.2% — 24th largest)
> Total population: 1,359,711 (11th smallest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
46. West Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to West Virginia in 2019: 927 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -13,685 (-0.8% — 2nd smallest)
> Total population: 1,792,147 (14th smallest)
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
45. South Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to South Dakota in 2019: 1,080 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +2,424 (+0.3% — 21st largest)
> Total population: 884,659 (6th smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
44. Vermont
> People from Texas who moved to Vermont in 2019: 1,082 (+0.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -2,310 (-0.4% — 5th smallest)
> Total population: 623,989 (2nd smallest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
43. Rhode Island
> People from Texas who moved to Rhode Island in 2019: 1,597 (+0.4% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +2,046 (+0.2% — 25th smallest)
> Total population: 1,059,361 (8th smallest)
Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
42. Hawaii
> People from Texas who moved to Hawaii in 2019: 1,667 (+0.4% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -4,619 (-0.3% — 7th smallest)
> Total population: 1,415,872 (12th smallest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: aoldman / Getty Images
41. Wyoming
> People from Texas who moved to Wyoming in 2019: 1,696 (+0.4% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +1,022 (+0.2% — 23rd smallest)
> Total population: 578,759 (the smallest)
Source: rarrarorro / iStock via Getty Images
40. District of Columbia
> People from Texas who moved to District of Columbia in 2019: 2,073 (+0.5% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +8,185 (1.2% — 6th largest)
> Total population: 692,683 (3rd smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
39. Connecticut
> People from Texas who moved to Connecticut in 2019: 2,141 (+0.5% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -7,378 (-0.2% — 10th smallest)
> Total population: 3,565,287 (23rd smallest)
Source: alexeys / Getty Images
38. Kentucky
> People from Texas who moved to Kentucky in 2019: 2,878 (+0.6% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -729 (-0.02% — 16th smallest)
> Total population: 4,467,673 (25th largest)
Source: rruntsch / Getty Images
37. North Dakota
> People from Texas who moved to North Dakota in 2019: 3,075 (+0.7% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +1,985 (+0.3% — 23rd largest)
> Total population: 762,062 (5th smallest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: mattalberts / Getty Images
36. Idaho
> People from Texas who moved to Idaho in 2019: 3,198 (+0.7% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +32,857 (1.9% — the largest)
> Total population: 1,787,065 (13th smallest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
35. Iowa
> People from Texas who moved to Iowa in 2019: 3,936 (+0.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -1,075 (-0.03% — 15th smallest)
> Total population: 3,155,070 (21st smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images
34. Nebraska
> People from Texas who moved to Nebraska in 2019: 4,199 (+0.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +5,140 (+0.3% — 22nd largest)
> Total population: 1,934,408 (15th smallest)
Source: sorincolac / Getty Images
33. Alaska
> People from Texas who moved to Alaska in 2019: 4,332 (1.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -5,893 (-0.8% — the smallest)
> Total population: 731,545 (4th smallest)
Source: 4nadia / Getty Images
32. Oregon
> People from Texas who moved to Oregon in 2019: 4,441 (1.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +27,024 (+0.6% — 14th largest)
> Total population: 4,217,737 (25th smallest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: espiegle / Getty Images
31. New Jersey
> People from Texas who moved to New Jersey in 2019: 4,489 (1.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -26,330 (-0.3% — 8th smallest)
> Total population: 8,882,190 (10th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
30. Mississippi
> People from Texas who moved to Mississippi in 2019: 4,689 (1.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -10,381 (-0.3% — 6th smallest)
> Total population: 2,976,149 (18th smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
29. Utah
> People from Texas who moved to Utah in 2019: 4,871 (1.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +44,853 (1.4% — 4th largest)
> Total population: 3,205,958 (22nd smallest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
28. Maryland
> People from Texas who moved to Maryland in 2019: 4,954 (1.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +2,962 (+0.05% — 18th smallest)
> Total population: 6,045,680 (18th largest)
Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images
27. Wisconsin
> People from Texas who moved to Wisconsin in 2019: 5,049 (1.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +8,866 (+0.2% — 22nd smallest)
> Total population: 5,822,434 (19th largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
26. Nevada
> People from Texas who moved to Nevada in 2019: 5,240 (1.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +45,764 (1.5% — 2nd largest)
> Total population: 3,080,156 (20th smallest)
Source: LIKE HE / Getty Images
25. Minnesota
> People from Texas who moved to Minnesota in 2019: 5,916 (1.3% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +28,453 (+0.5% — 17th largest)
> Total population: 5,639,632 (21st largest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
24. Massachusetts
> People from Texas who moved to Massachusetts in 2019: 6,088 (1.3% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -9,646 (-0.1% — 11th smallest)
> Total population: 6,892,503 (14th largest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
23. Indiana
> People from Texas who moved to Indiana in 2019: 7,095 (1.6% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +40,341 (+0.6% — 16th largest)
> Total population: 6,732,219 (16th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
22. South Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to South Carolina in 2019: 7,631 (1.7% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +64,587 (1.3% — 5th largest)
> Total population: 5,148,714 (22nd largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
21. Kansas
> People from Texas who moved to Kansas in 2019: 8,374 (1.8% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +1,804 (+0.1% — 19th smallest)
> Total population: 2,913,314 (17th smallest)
Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images
20. Alabama
> People from Texas who moved to Alabama in 2019: 8,405 (1.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +15,314 (+0.3% — 20th largest)
> Total population: 4,903,185 (23rd largest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images
19. Michigan
> People from Texas who moved to Michigan in 2019: 8,434 (1.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -9,058 (-0.1% — 13th smallest)
> Total population: 9,986,857 (9th largest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
18. Illinois
> People from Texas who moved to Illinois in 2019: 9,106 (2.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -69,259 (-0.5% — 3rd smallest)
> Total population: 12,671,821 (5th largest)
Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images
17. Pennsylvania
> People from Texas who moved to Pennsylvania in 2019: 11,490 (2.5% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -5,071 (-0.04% — 14th smallest)
> Total population: 12,801,989 (4th largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Missouri
> People from Texas who moved to Missouri in 2019: 11,507 (2.5% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +10,976 (+0.2% — 24th smallest)
> Total population: 6,137,428 (17th largest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
15. Arkansas
> People from Texas who moved to Arkansas in 2019: 12,851 (2.8% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +3,979 (+0.1% — 21st smallest)
> Total population: 3,017,804 (19th smallest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Eloi_Omella / Getty Images
14. New York
> People from Texas who moved to New York in 2019: 13,033 (2.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -88,648 (-0.5% — 4th smallest)
> Total population: 19,453,561 (3rd largest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: fotoguy22 / Getty Images
13. Ohio
> People from Texas who moved to Ohio in 2019: 13,564 (3.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -342 (-0.003% — 17th smallest)
> Total population: 11,689,100 (6th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
12. Virginia
> People from Texas who moved to Virginia in 2019: 13,924 (3.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +17,834 (+0.2% — 25th largest)
> Total population: 8,535,519 (11th largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
11. North Carolina
> People from Texas who moved to North Carolina in 2019: 14,226 (3.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +104,464 (1.0% — 9th largest)
> Total population: 10,488,084 (8th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Tennessee
> People from Texas who moved to Tennessee in 2019: 15,068 (3.3% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +59,164 (+0.9% — 11th largest)
> Total population: 6,829,174 (15th largest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Dean_Fikar / Getty Images
9. New Mexico
> People from Texas who moved to New Mexico in 2019: 15,762 (3.5% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +1,401 (+0.1% — 20th smallest)
> Total population: 2,096,829 (16th smallest)
Source: tonda / Getty Images
8. Arizona
> People from Texas who moved to Arizona in 2019: 17,482 (3.9% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +107,071 (1.5% — 3rd largest)
> Total population: 7,278,717 (13th largest)
Source: aiisha5 / iStock
7. Washington
> People from Texas who moved to Washington in 2019: 18,528 (4.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +79,302 (1.1% — 8th largest)
> Total population: 7,614,893 (12th largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Louisiana
> People from Texas who moved to Louisiana in 2019: 19,675 (4.3% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -11,184 (-0.2% — 9th smallest)
> Total population: 4,648,794 (24th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
5. Georgia
> People from Texas who moved to Georgia in 2019: 22,452 (5.0% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +97,948 (+0.9% — 10th largest)
> Total population: 10,617,423 (7th largest)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
4. Florida
> People from Texas who moved to Florida in 2019: 26,174 (5.8% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +178,412 (+0.8% — 12th largest)
> Total population: 21,477,737 (2nd largest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
3. Oklahoma
> People from Texas who moved to Oklahoma in 2019: 26,383 (5.8% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +13,892 (+0.4% — 19th largest)
> Total population: 3,956,971 (24th smallest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
2. Colorado
> People from Texas who moved to Colorado in 2019: 32,295 (7.1% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: +63,172 (1.1% — 7th largest)
> Total population: 5,758,736 (20th largest)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: choness / Getty Images
1. California
> People from Texas who moved to California in 2019: 37,063 (8.2% of all outbound Texans)
> 1-year net population change: -44,822 (-0.1% — 12th smallest)
> Total population: 39,512,223 (the largest)
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
