Special Report

American Cities People Are Leaving in Droves

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The reasons people are moving have changed slightly. What once was a reason to buy a home has now shifted slightly toward the desire to be closer to family or for an easier work commute. But geographic mobility is still at a historic low in America. According to the United States Census Bureau, only 8.7% of the population moved to a new home in 2022, the second smallest share since record-keeping began in 1948, and only slightly higher than the all-time low of 8.4% reported in 2021. While over half of all movers in 2022 relocated to another place in the same county, there are parts of the country that Americans are leaving behind entirely. Moreover, they are leaving at much faster rates than average. 

24/7 Wall St. identified the American cities people are leaving in droves by using metro area-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program. Metro areas were ranked based on the percentage change in population due to net migration from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Data was aggregated from the county level to the metropolitan level using MSA definitions for July 2023 from the Census Bureau.

The group of people who moved out between July 2021 and June 2022 outnumbers those who moved in by anywhere from about 350 to nearly 222,900. In some cases, this amounted to a population decline of over 2% – not factoring in population change from births or deaths. It should be noted that in each of these metro areas, outbound migration was offset by an influx of international migrants. In nearly a dozen cities on this list, net migration from abroad contributed to an influx of well over 1,000 new residents. Without these new arrivals, population declines would have been far more pronounced. (Here is a look at the best U.S. cities for immigrants, according to data.)

Although numerous metro areas listed are spread throughout the country, there are quite a few clustered within a single state. California, for example, is home to 10 metro areas on this list, New York is home to eight, and Louisiana has six. Several of these cities include many of the largest – and most expensive – places in the country. Cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, have each lost about 1% or more of their population in the last year due to migration alone. (Here is a look at the 23 cities with the most expensive rent in America.)

Here are the American cities people are leaving in droves.

50. Springfield, IL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-897)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,185
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +288
  • Total population, 2022: 206,655

49. Champaign-Urbana, IL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-1,029)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,939
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,910
  • Total population, 2022: 236,514

48. Grand Forks, ND-MN

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-450)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -652
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +202
  • Total population, 2022: 103,144

47. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-1,677)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,225
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +548
  • Total population, 2022: 379,374

46. Hanford-Corcoran, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-674)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -780
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +106
  • Total population, 2022: 152,981

45. Rochester, NY

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.4% (-4,703)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -6,882
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,179
  • Total population, 2022: 1,056,701

44. Lima, OH

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-460)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -521
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +61
  • Total population, 2022: 101,115

43. Peoria, IL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-1,656)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,246
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +590
  • Total population, 2022: 363,445

42. Charleston, WV

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-939)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,175
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +236
  • Total population, 2022: 204,297

41. Kahului-Wailuku, HI

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-750)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,308
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +558
  • Total population, 2022: 164,433

40. Elkhart-Goshen, IN

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-953)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,320
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +367
  • Total population, 2022: 206,890

39. Vineland, NJ

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-727)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -995
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +268
  • Total population, 2022: 151,356

38. Binghamton, NY

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-1,265)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,749
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +484
  • Total population, 2022: 244,889

37. Kingston, NY

OlegAlbinsky / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.5% (-956)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,180
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +224
  • Total population, 2022: 182,319

36. Syracuse, NY

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-3,800)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -5,252
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,452
  • Total population, 2022: 653,633

35. Trenton-Princeton, NJ

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-2,283)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -4,374
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,091
  • Total population, 2022: 380,688

34. Eagle Pass, TX

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-346)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -543
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +197
  • Total population, 2022: 57,843

33. Vallejo, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-2,714)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,593
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +879
  • Total population, 2022: 448,747

32. Sumter, SC

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-664)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -758
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +94
  • Total population, 2022: 104,012

31. Modesto, CA

DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-3,501)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -4,386
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +885
  • Total population, 2022: 551,275

30. Jackson, MS

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-3,907)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -4,319
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +412
  • Total population, 2022: 610,904

29. Fayetteville, NC

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.6% (-2,506)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,492
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +986
  • Total population, 2022: 390,486

28. El Centro, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.7% (-1,196)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,431
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +235
  • Total population, 2022: 178,713

27. Odessa, TX

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.7% (-1,120)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,025
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +905
  • Total population, 2022: 160,869

26. Monroe, LA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.7% (-1,663)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,829
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +166
  • Total population, 2022: 222,695

25. St. Joseph, MO-KS

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.7% (-901)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,017
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +116
  • Total population, 2022: 119,690

24. Columbus, GA-AL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.8% (-2,602)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,188
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +586
  • Total population, 2022: 324,110

23. Medford, OR

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.8% (-1,789)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,822
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +33
  • Total population, 2022: 221,644

22. Laredo, TX

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.8% (-2,201)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,156
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +955
  • Total population, 2022: 267,780

21. Fairbanks-College, AK

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.8% (-791)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -919
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +128
  • Total population, 2022: 95,356

20. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -0.9% (-3,583)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,906
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +323
  • Total population, 2022: 385,154

19. Decatur, IL

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.0% (-982)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,113
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +131
  • Total population, 2022: 101,483

18. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.0% (-90,426)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -116,964
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +26,538
  • Total population, 2022: 9,274,140

17. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.0% (-125,592)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -170,450
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +44,858
  • Total population, 2022: 12,872,322

16. Alexandria, LA

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.0% (-1,513)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,623
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +110
  • Total population, 2022: 149,189

15. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.0% (-8,640)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -9,419
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +779
  • Total population, 2022: 832,605

14. Urban Honolulu, HI

Allison Tackette / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.1% (-11,095)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -15,236
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,141
  • Total population, 2022: 995,638

13. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.1% (-51,617)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -79,139
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +27,522
  • Total population, 2022: 4,579,599

12. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.1% (-222,850)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -322,497
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +99,647
  • Total population, 2022: 19,557,311

11. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.2% (-24,380)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -42,762
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +18,382
  • Total population, 2022: 1,938,524

10. Ithaca, NY

benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.3% (-1,328)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,829
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +501
  • Total population, 2022: 104,777

9. Lake Charles, LA

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.4% (-3,297)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -3,672
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +375
  • Total population, 2022: 239,346

8. Napa, CA

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  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.4% (-1,897)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,043
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +146
  • Total population, 2022: 134,300

7. Elmira, NY

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.4% (-1,164)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,214
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +50
  • Total population, 2022: 81,426

6. Minot, ND

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.4% (-1,103)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -1,188
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +85
  • Total population, 2022: 76,279

5. Manhattan, KS

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.5% (-2,056)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,500
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +444
  • Total population, 2022: 133,072

4. Salinas, CA

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.6% (-7,147)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -7,894
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +747
  • Total population, 2022: 432,858

3. Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

KathyKafka / iStock via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -1.6% (-1,938)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -2,126
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +188
  • Total population, 2022: 116,637

2. New Orleans-Metairie, LA

benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -2.1% (-21,162)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -24,334
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,172
  • Total population, 2022: 972,913

1. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA

  • Pop. change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: -3.0% (-6,270)
  • Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: -6,412
  • Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +142
  • Total population, 2022: 200,656

 

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