Florida has been growing rapidly for decades, surpassing New York to become the third most populous state in the country in 2014. Last year, Florida reached another historic milestone, reporting a nation-leading net population increase of 1.9%.
These numbers do not tell the full story, however. Even as Americans are flocking to the Sunshine State at a record pace, many are also moving out. According to government data, nearly 470,000 Floridians packed up and moved to a different part of the country in 2021. Only California and New York reported higher levels of outbound migration that year.
Explanations for why so many Floridians are relocating vary, and are often personal. Family considerations, changes in marital status, and job transfers are the reasons behind millions of moves in the U.S. each year, but other circumstances specific to Florida are also likely pushing many out of the state.
Every year, parts of the state – particularly along the coast – face the threat of hurricanes and storm surges. Between 2018 and 2022 alone, Florida was hit with 19 weather-related disasters that caused over $1 billion in damage, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In fact, of the 61 tropical cyclones in the U.S. since 1980 that resulted in over $1 billion in damage, over half hit the state of Florida.
No matter the explanation, nearly half a million people left Florida for a different state in 2021, and some parts of the country have drawn in far more ex-Floridians than others.
Using data on state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states the most people from Florida are moving to. The 50 places on this list – Washington D.C. and every state except Florida – are ranked by the share of residents in 2021 who lived in Florida in 2020. For each state and Washington D.C., we also reviewed net population change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 with data from U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program.
Georgia and Alabama are the only two states that border Florida – and each ranks among the top 10 destinations for outbound Floridians. Both states offer a far lower cost of living than Florida, and each had a stronger job market in 2021, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Here is a look at the cities that will add the jobs by 2060 according to economists.)
Additionally, two of the top five states on this list – North Carolina and Texas – are drawing in new residents from all over the U.S., with net population increases of 116,440 and 326,390, respectively, in 2021 – ranking them among the three fastest growing states. (Here is a look at the best states to live in.)
Here is where people from Florida are moving to the most.
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
50. South Dakota
> People from Florida who moved to South Dakota in 2021: 659 (0.14% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,365 (+0.94%)
> Total 2021 population: 884,616
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
49. Vermont
> People from Florida who moved to Vermont in 2021: 1,172 (0.25% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +4,079 (+0.63%)
> Total 2021 population: 641,007
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
48. North Dakota
> People from Florida who moved to North Dakota in 2021: 1,272 (0.27% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,584 (-0.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 764,638
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
47. Idaho
> People from Florida who moved to Idaho in 2021: 1,322 (0.28% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,112 (+2.98%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,879,719
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
46. Wyoming
> People from Florida who moved to Wyoming in 2021: 1,541 (0.33% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,878 (+0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 573,476
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
45. Montana
> People from Florida who moved to Montana in 2021: 1,566 (0.33% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +19,152 (+1.76%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,093,888
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
44. Delaware
> People from Florida who moved to Delaware in 2021: 1,650 (0.35% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +12,693 (+1.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 994,669
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
43. Arkansas
> People from Florida who moved to Arkansas in 2021: 1,655 (0.35% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,927 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,990,311
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Nebraska
> People from Florida who moved to Nebraska in 2021: 1,806 (0.38% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +912 (+0.05%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,939,700
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
41. Alaska
> People from Florida who moved to Alaska in 2021: 2,163 (0.46% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,259 (+0.17%)
> Total 2021 population: 723,949
40. Rhode Island
> People from Florida who moved to Rhode Island in 2021: 2,176 (0.46% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +640 (+0.06%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,085,539
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
39. Mississippi
> People from Florida who moved to Mississippi in 2021: 2,512 (0.53% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -8,555 (-0.29%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,919,574
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38. Hawaii
> People from Florida who moved to Hawaii in 2021: 2,527 (0.54% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,889 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,426,298
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. District of Columbia
> People from Florida who moved to the District of Columbia in 2021: 2,581 (0.55% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -2,077 (-0.31%)
> Total 2021 population: 661,026
Source: LParkerPhotography / iStock via Getty Images
36. Oregon
> People from Florida who moved to Oregon in 2021: 2,683 (0.57% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +11,506 (+0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,207,387
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
35. Minnesota
> People from Florida who moved to Minnesota in 2021: 2,712 (0.58% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,619 (+0.03%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,645,866
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
34. New Hampshire
> People from Florida who moved to New Hampshire in 2021: 2,758 (0.59% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +8,918 (+0.65%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,377,638
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. Kansas
> People from Florida who moved to Kansas in 2021: 2,926 (0.62% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +03 (+0.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,900,594
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. Utah
> People from Florida who moved to Utah in 2021: 3,093 (0.66% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +55,328 (+1.68%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,295,561
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
31. West Virginia
> People from Florida who moved to West Virginia in 2021: 3,835 (0.82% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -5,894 (-0.33%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,767,792
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
30. Maine
> People from Florida who moved to Maine in 2021: 4,322 (0.92% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +13,681 (+1.00%)
> Total 2021 population: 1,360,264
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Oklahoma
> People from Florida who moved to Oklahoma in 2021: 4,484 (0.95% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,313 (+0.66%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,943,443
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Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
28. Iowa
> People from Florida who moved to Iowa in 2021: 4,548 (0.97% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +7,118 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,159,672
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. New Mexico
> People from Florida who moved to New Mexico in 2021: 4,563 (0.97% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -1,713 (-0.08%)
> Total 2021 population: 2,092,251
Source: marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
26. Wisconsin
> People from Florida who moved to Wisconsin in 2021: 5,123 (1.09% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -16,170 (-0.27%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,838,954
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
25. Missouri
> People from Florida who moved to Missouri in 2021: 5,622 (1.20% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +15,825 (+0.26%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,102,443
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
24. Louisiana
> People from Florida who moved to Louisiana in 2021: 6,004 (1.28% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -24,566 (-0.53%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,571,302
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Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
23. Nevada
> People from Florida who moved to Nevada in 2021: 6,372 (1.36% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +30,754 (+0.99%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,111,722
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
22. Connecticut
> People from Florida who moved to Connecticut in 2021: 6,534 (1.39% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +25,993 (+0.72%)
> Total 2021 population: 3,571,470
Source: dszc / E+ via Getty Images
21. Arizona
> People from Florida who moved to Arizona in 2021: 6,748 (1.44% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +84,934 (+1.18%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,202,745
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
20. Maryland
> People from Florida who moved to Maryland in 2021: 7,927 (1.69% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +1,405 (+0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,099,715
Source: AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images
19. New Jersey
> People from Florida who moved to New Jersey in 2021: 7,930 (1.69% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -3,728 (-0.04%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,174,117
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Kentucky
> People from Florida who moved to Kentucky in 2021: 8,392 (1.79% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -856 (-0.02%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,460,646
Source: LoweStock / iStock via Getty Images
17. Washington
> People from Florida who moved to Washington in 2021: 9,637 (2.05% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +16,714 (+0.22%)
> Total 2021 population: 7,657,350
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / iStock via Getty Images
16. Indiana
> People from Florida who moved to Indiana in 2021: 10,336 (2.20% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +24,733 (+0.36%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,729,771
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
15. Illinois
> People from Florida who moved to Illinois in 2021: 10,647 (2.27% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -100,111 (-0.78%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,544,435
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
14. Massachusetts
> People from Florida who moved to Massachusetts in 2021: 10,894 (2.32% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -6,039 (-0.09%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,916,314
Source: Davel5957 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Michigan
> People from Florida who moved to Michigan in 2021: 13,202 (2.81% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -32,073 (-0.32%)
> Total 2021 population: 9,950,336
Source: espiegle / iStock via Getty Images
12. Ohio
> People from Florida who moved to Ohio in 2021: 14,785 (3.15% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -33,175 (-0.28%)
> Total 2021 population: 11,660,200
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
11. South Carolina
> People from Florida who moved to South Carolina in 2021: 14,905 (3.17% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +61,418 (+1.20%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,142,137
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. Pennsylvania
> People from Florida who moved to Pennsylvania in 2021: 15,020 (3.20% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +17,619 (+0.14%)
> Total 2021 population: 12,842,522
Source: pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
9. Colorado
> People from Florida who moved to Colorado in 2021: 18,661 (3.97% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +26,432 (+0.46%)
> Total 2021 population: 5,757,628
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
8. Virginia
> People from Florida who moved to Virginia in 2021: 20,603 (4.39% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +20,894 (+0.24%)
> Total 2021 population: 8,557,020
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
7. Tennessee
> People from Florida who moved to Tennessee in 2021: 20,809 (4.43% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +42,732 (+0.62%)
> Total 2021 population: 6,899,165
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
6. Alabama
> People from Florida who moved to Alabama in 2021: 22,507 (4.79% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +18,484 (+0.37%)
> Total 2021 population: 4,989,797
Source: Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images
5. New York
> People from Florida who moved to New York in 2021: 24,444 (5.21% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -250,804 (-1.25%)
> Total 2021 population: 19,626,300
Source: Ryan Herron / E+ via Getty Images
4. California
> People from Florida who moved to California in 2021: 24,692 (5.26% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: -358,662 (-0.91%)
> Total 2021 population: 38,833,197
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Texas
> People from Florida who moved to Texas in 2021: 31,023 (6.61% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +326,390 (+1.12%)
> Total 2021 population: 29,170,380
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
2. North Carolina
> People from Florida who moved to North Carolina in 2021: 37,071 (7.89% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +116,440 (+1.11%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,446,881
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
1. Georgia
> People from Florida who moved to Georgia in 2021: 49,163 (10.47% of all outbound Floridians)
> 1-yr. net population change: +58,201 (+0.54%)
> Total 2021 population: 10,688,429
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