With its low taxes, year-round sunshine, and access to beautiful beaches, Florida ranks as the top spot for newcomers. Move.org reported that Florida was the number one destination in 2020 for people pulling up roots. Much of the migration was fueled by Northeasterners attracted by the state’s lower cost of living and more relaxed lifestyle.
But Florida may be losing a bit of its luster. Admittedly, the state’s population surged by 387,479 between April 2019 and April 2020, a 1.83% increase over the previous year’s gain, according to Florida’s Demographic Estimating Conference. However, the same organization predicts that between April 2020 and April 2021, the compound growth rate will prove to have been only 1.39%, a substantial slowing. (See how every state’s population has changed since 2010.)
While it may remain the most popular for incoming residents, Move.org notes that it is also in fourth place for people leaving. With all its undeniable attractions (and even without factoring in Florida’s current record-breaking rate of new COVID-19 infections), there are definite downsides to living in the Sunshine State — among them annual threats from hurricanes and oppressive summertime heat and humidity. (If you want to know how to survive the Florida heat, find out what you should never do when it’s hot outside.)
Where are the people who move out of Florida going? To find out, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, revealing the number of people living in other states (or Washington D.C.) in 2019 who had lived in Florida 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.). Note that our list does not include Florida (for obvious reasons). All rankings are out of a universe of 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Click here to see where people from Florida are moving to the most.
Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
50. South Dakota
> People from Florida who moved to South Dakota in 2019: 550 (0.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +2,424 (+0.3% — 21st largest)
> Total population: 884,659 (6th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
49. Vermont
> People from Florida who moved to Vermont in 2019: 637 (0.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -2,310 (-0.4% — 5th smallest)
> Total population: 623,989 (2nd smallest)
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Source: mattalberts / Getty Images
48. Idaho
> People from Florida who moved to Idaho in 2019: 895 (0.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +32,857 (+1.9% — the largest)
> Total population: 1,787,065 (13th smallest)
Source: aoldman / Getty Images
47. Wyoming
> People from Florida who moved to Wyoming in 2019: 909 (0.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +1,022 (+0.2% — 23rd smallest)
> Total population: 578,759 (the smallest)
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Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images
46. Delaware
> People from Florida who moved to Delaware in 2019: 939 (0.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +6,593 (+0.7% — 13th largest)
> Total population: 973,764 (7th smallest)
Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images
45. North Dakota
> People from Florida who moved to North Dakota in 2019: 1,168 (0.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +1,985 (+0.3% — 23rd largest)
> Total population: 762,062 (5th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
44. New Hampshire
> People from Florida who moved to New Hampshire in 2019: 1,182 (0.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +3,253 (+0.2% — 24th largest)
> Total population: 1,359,711 (11th smallest)
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
43. Nebraska
> People from Florida who moved to Nebraska in 2019: 1,474 (0.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +5,140 (+0.3% — 22nd largest)
> Total population: 1,934,408 (15th smallest)
Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images
42. District of Columbia
> People from Florida who moved to District of Columbia in 2019: 1,496 (0.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +8,185 (+1.2% — 6th largest)
> Total population: 692,683 (3rd smallest)
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Source: miroslav_1 / Getty Images
41. Montana
> People from Florida who moved to Montana in 2019: 1,715 (0.4% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +6,473 (+0.6% — 15th largest)
> Total population: 1,068,778 (9th smallest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
40. New Mexico
> People from Florida who moved to New Mexico in 2019: 1,804 (0.4% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +1,401 (+0.1% — 20th smallest)
> Total population: 2,096,829 (16th smallest)
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Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
39. Hawaii
> People from Florida who moved to Hawaii in 2019: 1,858 (0.4% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -4,619 (-0.3% — 7th smallest)
> Total population: 1,415,872 (12th smallest)
Source: BlazenImages / Getty Images
38. Arkansas
> People from Florida who moved to Arkansas in 2019: 2,118 (0.5% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +3,979 (+0.1% — 21st smallest)
> Total population: 3,017,804 (19th smallest)
Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
37. Utah
> People from Florida who moved to Utah in 2019: 2,451 (0.5% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +44,853 (+1.4% — 4th largest)
> Total population: 3,205,958 (22nd smallest)
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Source: sorincolac / Getty Images
36. Alaska
> People from Florida who moved to Alaska in 2019: 2,473 (0.5% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -5,893 (-0.8% — the smallest)
> Total population: 731,545 (4th smallest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
35. Maine
> People from Florida who moved to Maine in 2019: 2,797 (0.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +5,808 (+0.4% — 18th largest)
> Total population: 1,344,212 (10th smallest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
34. West Virginia
> People from Florida who moved to West Virginia in 2019: 3,052 (0.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -13,685 (-0.8% — 2nd smallest)
> Total population: 1,792,147 (14th smallest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
33. Rhode Island
> People from Florida who moved to Rhode Island in 2019: 3,084 (0.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +2,046 (+0.2% — 25th smallest)
> Total population: 1,059,361 (8th smallest)
Source: ricardoreitmeyer / Getty Images
32. Kansas
> People from Florida who moved to Kansas in 2019: 3,828 (0.8% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +1,804 (+0.1% — 19th smallest)
> Total population: 2,913,314 (17th smallest)
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Source: LIKE HE / Getty Images
31. Minnesota
> People from Florida who moved to Minnesota in 2019: 4,070 (0.9% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +28,453 (+0.5% — 17th largest)
> Total population: 5,639,632 (21st largest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
30. Oklahoma
> People from Florida who moved to Oklahoma in 2019: 4,109 (0.9% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +13,892 (+0.4% — 19th largest)
> Total population: 3,956,971 (24th smallest)
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Source: 4nadia / Getty Images
29. Oregon
> People from Florida who moved to Oregon in 2019: 4,218 (0.9% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +27,024 (+0.6% — 14th largest)
> Total population: 4,217,737 (25th smallest)
Source: LarryLindell / Getty Images
28. Iowa
> People from Florida who moved to Iowa in 2019: 4,397 (1.0% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -1,075 (-0.03% — 15th smallest)
> Total population: 3,155,070 (21st smallest)
Source: maxmironov / Getty Images
27. Mississippi
> People from Florida who moved to Mississippi in 2019: 4,712 (1.0% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -10,381 (-0.3% — 6th smallest)
> Total population: 2,976,149 (18th smallest)
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Source: chefranden / Flickr
26. Wisconsin
> People from Florida who moved to Wisconsin in 2019: 5,168 (1.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +8,866 (+0.2% — 22nd smallest)
> Total population: 5,822,434 (19th largest)
Source: Jaimie Tuchman / Getty Images
25. Louisiana
> People from Florida who moved to Louisiana in 2019: 5,296 (1.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -11,184 (-0.2% — 9th smallest)
> Total population: 4,648,794 (24th largest)
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Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
24. Nevada
> People from Florida who moved to Nevada in 2019: 5,429 (1.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +45,764 (+1.5% — 2nd largest)
> Total population: 3,080,156 (20th smallest)
23. Missouri
> People from Florida who moved to Missouri in 2019: 6,848 (1.5% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +10,976 (+0.2% — 24th smallest)
> Total population: 6,137,428 (17th largest)
Source: alexeys / Getty Images
22. Kentucky
> People from Florida who moved to Kentucky in 2019: 7,139 (1.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -729 (-0.02% — 16th smallest)
> Total population: 4,467,673 (25th largest)
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Source: tonda / Getty Images
21. Arizona
> People from Florida who moved to Arizona in 2019: 7,358 (1.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +107,071 (+1.5% — 3rd largest)
> Total population: 7,278,717 (13th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
20. Connecticut
> People from Florida who moved to Connecticut in 2019: 7,501 (1.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -7,378 (-0.2% — 10th smallest)
> Total population: 3,565,287 (23rd smallest)
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
19. Maryland
> People from Florida who moved to Maryland in 2019: 7,766 (1.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +2,962 (+0.05% — 18th smallest)
> Total population: 6,045,680 (18th largest)
Source: aiisha5 / iStock
18. Washington
> People from Florida who moved to Washington in 2019: 7,925 (1.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +79,302 (+1.1% — 8th largest)
> Total population: 7,614,893 (12th largest)
Source: ehrlif / Getty Images
17. Michigan
> People from Florida who moved to Michigan in 2019: 9,941 (2.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -9,058 (-0.1% — 13th smallest)
> Total population: 9,986,857 (9th largest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
16. Massachusetts
> People from Florida who moved to Massachusetts in 2019: 10,360 (2.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -9,646 (-0.1% — 11th smallest)
> Total population: 6,892,503 (14th largest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
15. Indiana
> People from Florida who moved to Indiana in 2019: 11,926 (2.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +40,341 (+0.6% — 16th largest)
> Total population: 6,732,219 (16th largest)
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Source: Creative-Family / Getty Images
14. New Jersey
> People from Florida who moved to New Jersey in 2019: 12,032 (2.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -26,330 (-0.3% — 8th smallest)
> Total population: 8,882,190 (10th largest)
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Source: Planet Unicorn / Getty Images
13. Colorado
> People from Florida who moved to Colorado in 2019: 14,124 (3.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +63,172 (+1.1% — 7th largest)
> Total population: 5,758,736 (20th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
12. South Carolina
> People from Florida who moved to South Carolina in 2019: 14,136 (3.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +64,587 (+1.3% — 5th largest)
> Total population: 5,148,714 (22nd largest)
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Source: marchello74 / Getty Images
11. Illinois
> People from Florida who moved to Illinois in 2019: 14,534 (3.2% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -69,259 (-0.5% — 3rd smallest)
> Total population: 12,671,821 (5th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Alabama
> People from Florida who moved to Alabama in 2019: 15,519 (3.4% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +15,314 (+0.3% — 20th largest)
> Total population: 4,903,185 (23rd largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
9. Ohio
> People from Florida who moved to Ohio in 2019: 16,590 (3.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -342 (-0.003% — 17th smallest)
> Total population: 11,689,100 (6th largest)
Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images
8. New York
> People from Florida who moved to New York in 2019: 18,976 (4.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -88,648 (-0.5% — 4th smallest)
> Total population: 19,453,561 (3rd largest)
Source: pamwood707 / Flickr
7. Pennsylvania
> People from Florida who moved to Pennsylvania in 2019: 19,629 (4.3% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -5,071 (-0.04% — 14th smallest)
> Total population: 12,801,989 (4th largest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
6. Virginia
> People from Florida who moved to Virginia in 2019: 21,432 (4.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +17,834 (+0.2% — 25th largest)
> Total population: 8,535,519 (11th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
5. Tennessee
> People from Florida who moved to Tennessee in 2019: 21,539 (4.7% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +59,164 (+0.9% — 12th largest)
> Total population: 6,829,174 (15th largest)
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Source: choness / Getty Images
4. California
> People from Florida who moved to California in 2019: 22,692 (5.0% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: -44,822 (-0.1% — 12th smallest)
> Total population: 39,512,223 (the largest)
Source: RickSause / Getty Images
3. North Carolina
> People from Florida who moved to North Carolina in 2019: 30,032 (6.6% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +104,464 (+1.0% — 10th largest)
> Total population: 10,488,084 (8th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
2. Texas
> People from Florida who moved to Texas in 2019: 41,238 (9.0% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +294,036 (+1.0% — 9th largest)
> Total population: 28,995,881 (2nd largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
1. Georgia
> People from Florida who moved to Georgia in 2019: 46,235 (10.1% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-year net population change: +97,948 (+0.9% — 11th largest)
> Total population: 10,617,423 (7th largest)
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