Special Report

Americans are Flocking to Virginia From These States

Sam Stebbins / 24/7 Wall St.

Americans are more likely to move to a new state than they have been in years. According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 8.2 million people moved between states in 2022, more than in any year in over a decade.

While reasons for moving vary from person to person, historically high rates of interstate mobility may be tied to recent changes in the labor market — specifically, the sweeping adoption of remote work policies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Census data shows that more than 24 million Americans worked from home in 2022, compared to fewer than 9 million in 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Without needing to be within commuting distance of their office, larger shares of the population are free to choose a place to live based on other factors, including housing, climate, cost of living, and family. Whatever the explanations may be, census data shows that some states are far more popular destinations than others — and Virginia is drawing in more new residents from other parts of the country than the vast majority of states.

An estimated 267,000 Americans relocated to Virginia in 2022, the eighth most of any state. Inbound moves to Virginia originated from every state and Washington, D.C in 2022, with the exception of North Dakota and South Dakota.

The number of Americans who moved to Virginia in 2022 ranges from about 50 to nearly 28,500, depending on the state. Not surprisingly, the states reporting the largest outflow of residents to Virginia include many of the most populous states in the country, as well as several states that share a border with Virginia.

These are the states the most Americans are leaving for Virginia.

50. North Dakota: 0 people

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from North Dakota who moved to Virginia in 2022: 0
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of North Dakota in 2022: 28,359 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (0.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)

49. South Dakota: 0 people

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from South Dakota who moved to Virginia in 2022: 0
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of South Dakota in 2022: 28,803 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)

48. Wyoming: 51 people

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Wyoming who moved to Virginia in 2022: 51 (0.0% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Wyoming in 2022: 27,005 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (0.2% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)

47. Maine: 161 people

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Maine who moved to Virginia in 2022: 161 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Maine in 2022: 34,659 — 7th fewest of 50 states (0.5% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)

46. Arkansas: 301 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Arkansas who moved to Virginia in 2022: 301 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Arkansas in 2022: 74,408 — 18th fewest of 50 states (0.4% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)

45. Vermont: 324 people

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Vermont who moved to Virginia in 2022: 324 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Vermont in 2022: 23,170 — the fewest of 50 states (1.4% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)

44. Rhode Island: 384 people

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Rhode Island who moved to Virginia in 2022: 384 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Rhode Island in 2022: 39,156 — 9th fewest of 50 states (1.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)

43. Montana: 534 people

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Montana who moved to Virginia in 2022: 534 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Montana in 2022: 38,483 — 8th fewest of 50 states (1.4% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)

42. New Mexico: 610 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Mexico who moved to Virginia in 2022: 610 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Mexico in 2022: 58,443 — 13th fewest of 50 states (1.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)

41. New Hampshire: 616 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Hampshire who moved to Virginia in 2022: 616 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Hampshire in 2022: 46,866 — 11th fewest of 50 states (1.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)

40. Delaware: 707 people

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Delaware who moved to Virginia in 2022: 707 (0.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Delaware in 2022: 33,691 — 6th fewest of 50 states (2.1% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)

39. Iowa: 792 people

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Iowa who moved to Virginia in 2022: 792 (0.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Iowa in 2022: 70,359 — 16th fewest of 50 states (1.1% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)

38. Nebraska: 824 people

Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • People from Nebraska who moved to Virginia in 2022: 824 (0.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Nebraska in 2022: 49,472 — 12th fewest of 50 states (1.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)

37. Utah: 1,079 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Utah who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,079 (0.4% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Utah in 2022: 109,290 — 25th fewest of 50 states (1.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)

36. Idaho: 1,353 people

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  • People from Idaho who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,353 (0.5% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Idaho in 2022: 70,542 — 17th fewest of 50 states (1.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)

35. Alaska: 1,513 people

Source: filo / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Alaska who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,513 (0.6% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Alaska in 2022: 32,755 — 5th fewest of 50 states (4.6% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)

34. Nevada: 1,536 people

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Nevada who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,536 (0.6% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Nevada in 2022: 114,131 — 25th most of 50 states (1.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)

33. Minnesota: 1,703 people

Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Minnesota who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,703 (0.6% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Minnesota in 2022: 130,807 — 23rd most of 50 states (1.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)

32. Connecticut: 1,792 people

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Connecticut who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,792 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Connecticut in 2022: 88,733 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (2.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)

31. Alabama: 1,794 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Alabama who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,794 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Alabama in 2022: 102,894 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (1.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)

30. Hawaii: 1,852 people

Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Hawaii who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,852 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Hawaii in 2022: 67,257 — 15th fewest of 50 states (2.8% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)

29. Louisiana: 1,978 people

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Louisiana who moved to Virginia in 2022: 1,978 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Louisiana in 2022: 105,897 — 24th fewest of 50 states (1.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)

28. Missouri: 2,025 people

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Missouri who moved to Virginia in 2022: 2,025 (0.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Missouri in 2022: 156,845 — 20th most of 50 states (1.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)

27. Mississippi: 2,049 people

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Mississippi who moved to Virginia in 2022: 2,049 (0.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Mississippi in 2022: 59,596 — 14th fewest of 50 states (3.4% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)

26. Kentucky: 2,105 people

Source: kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Kentucky who moved to Virginia in 2022: 2,105 (0.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Kentucky in 2022: 88,556 — 21st fewest of 50 states (2.4% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)

25. Oklahoma: 2,290 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Oklahoma who moved to Virginia in 2022: 2,290 (0.9% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Oklahoma in 2022: 85,782 — 20th fewest of 50 states (2.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)

24. Oregon: 2,428 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Oregon who moved to Virginia in 2022: 2,428 (0.9% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Oregon in 2022: 157,729 — 19th most of 50 states (1.5% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)

23. Kansas: 3,130 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Kansas who moved to Virginia in 2022: 3,130 (1.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Kansas in 2022: 84,558 — 19th fewest of 50 states (3.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)

22. Wisconsin: 3,312 people

Source: marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Wisconsin who moved to Virginia in 2022: 3,312 (1.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Wisconsin in 2022: 121,329 — 24th most of 50 states (2.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)

21. Arizona: 3,478 people

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  • People from Arizona who moved to Virginia in 2022: 3,478 (1.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Arizona in 2022: 204,734 — 15th most of 50 states (1.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)

20. Michigan: 3,808 people

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  • People from Michigan who moved to Virginia in 2022: 3,808 (1.4% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Michigan in 2022: 167,885 — 18th most of 50 states (2.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)

19. Colorado: 4,485 people

Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Colorado who moved to Virginia in 2022: 4,485 (1.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Colorado in 2022: 239,200 — 12th most of 50 states (1.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)

18. Massachusetts: 4,709 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Massachusetts who moved to Virginia in 2022: 4,709 (1.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Massachusetts in 2022: 214,644 — 13th most of 50 states (2.2% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)

17. Indiana: 4,800 people

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Indiana who moved to Virginia in 2022: 4,800 (1.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Indiana in 2022: 137,624 — 22nd most of 50 states (3.5% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)

16. West Virginia: 4,811 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from West Virginia who moved to Virginia in 2022: 4,811 (1.8% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of West Virginia in 2022: 40,535 — 10th fewest of 50 states (11.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)

15. Tennessee: 5,249 people

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Virginia in 2022: 5,249 (2.0% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Tennessee in 2022: 182,669 — 17th most of 50 states (2.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,051,339 (15th largest of 50 states)

14. Illinois: 5,881 people

Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Illinois who moved to Virginia in 2022: 5,881 (2.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Illinois in 2022: 344,027 — 5th most of 50 states (1.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,582,032 (6th largest of 50 states)

13. Ohio: 6,151 people

Source: espiegle / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Ohio who moved to Virginia in 2022: 6,151 (2.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Ohio in 2022: 196,766 — 16th most of 50 states (3.1% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)

12. Georgia: 6,689 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Georgia who moved to Virginia in 2022: 6,689 (2.5% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Georgia in 2022: 253,275 — 11th most of 50 states (2.6% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)

11. Washington: 6,877 people

Source: halbergman / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Washington who moved to Virginia in 2022: 6,877 (2.6% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Washington in 2022: 257,785 — 10th most of 50 states (2.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)

10. South Carolina: 7,680 people

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from South Carolina who moved to Virginia in 2022: 7,680 (2.9% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of South Carolina in 2022: 154,398 — 21st most of 50 states (5.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)

9. New Jersey: 11,155 people

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Jersey who moved to Virginia in 2022: 11,155 (4.2% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Jersey in 2022: 267,106 — 8th most of 50 states (4.2% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)

8. Texas: 13,359 people

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Virginia in 2022: 13,359 (5.0% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Texas in 2022: 494,077 — 3rd most of 50 states (2.7% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 30,029,572 (2nd largest of 50 states)

7. District of Columbia: 13,582 people

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from District of Columbia who moved to Virginia in 2022: 13,582 (5.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of District of Columbia in 2022: 67,904 — (20.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 671,803

6. Pennsylvania: 16,830 people

Source: kimon / Flickr
  • People from Pennsylvania who moved to Virginia in 2022: 16,830 (6.3% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Pennsylvania in 2022: 278,699 — 7th most of 50 states (6.0% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)

5. New York: 17,516 people

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New York who moved to Virginia in 2022: 17,516 (6.6% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New York in 2022: 545,598 — 2nd most of 50 states (3.2% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)

4. California: 19,036 people

Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from California who moved to Virginia in 2022: 19,036 (7.1% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of California in 2022: 817,669 — the most of 50 states (2.3% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)

3. North Carolina: 21,395 people

Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from North Carolina who moved to Virginia in 2022: 21,395 (8.0% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of North Carolina in 2022: 259,422 — 9th most of 50 states (8.2% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,698,973 (9th largest of 50 states)

2. Florida: 23,766 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Florida who moved to Virginia in 2022: 23,766 (8.9% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Florida in 2022: 489,905 — 4th most of 50 states (4.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)

1. Maryland: 28,470 people

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Maryland who moved to Virginia in 2022: 28,470 (10.7% of Americans who moved to Virginia)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Maryland in 2022: 205,406 — 14th most of 50 states (13.9% moved to Virginia)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)
Rank Geography Residents who moved to Virginia in 2022 Pct. all inbound moves to Virginia
50 North Dakota 0.00
49 South Dakota 0.00
48 Wyoming 51 0.02
47 Maine 161 0.06
46 Arkansas 301 0.11
45 Vermont 324 0.12
44 Rhode Island 384 0.14
43 Montana 534 0.20
42 New Mexico 610 0.23
41 New Hampshire 616 0.23
40 Delaware 707 0.26
39 Iowa 792 0.30
38 Nebraska 824 0.31
37 Utah 1,079 0.40
36 Idaho 1,353 0.51
35 Alaska 1,513 0.57
34 Nevada 1,536 0.58
33 Minnesota 1,703 0.64
32 Connecticut 1,792 0.67
31 Alabama 1,794 0.67
30 Hawaii 1,852 0.69
29 Louisiana 1,978 0.74
28 Missouri 2,025 0.76
27 Mississippi 2,049 0.77
26 Kentucky 2,105 0.79
25 Oklahoma 2,290 0.86
24 Oregon 2,428 0.91
23 Kansas 3,130 1.17
22 Wisconsin 3,312 1.24
21 Arizona 3,478 1.30
20 Michigan 3,808 1.43
19 Colorado 4,485 1.68
18 Massachusetts 4,709 1.76
17 Indiana 4,800 1.80
16 West Virginia 4,811 1.80
15 Tennessee 5,249 1.97
14 Illinois 5,881 2.20
13 Ohio 6,151 2.30
12 Georgia 6,689 2.51
11 Washington 6,877 2.58
10 South Carolina 7,680 2.88
9 New Jersey 11,155 4.18
8 Texas 13,359 5.00
7 District of Columbia 13,582 5.09
6 Pennsylvania 16,830 6.30
5 New York 17,516 6.56
4 California 19,036 7.13
3 North Carolina 21,395 8.01
2 Florida 23,766 8.90
1 Maryland 28,470 10.66

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