Mass. hits five-year high in out-migration
Photo | Grant Welker
A home for sale in Westborough
Massachusetts has long been a state where more people move out to other states than in, attracted by job opportunities, milder winters or cheaper real estate. Immigrants have more than made up for the difference to keep the state growing.
In 2020 though, Massachusetts reached a five-year high in what's known as out-migration, when people move from Massachusetts to another state. Among those who moved across state borders, 56.6% were heading out, according to a report Monday from United Van Lines, a moving service headquartered in Missouri, which tracks national migration data.
That rate, the highest for Massachusetts since 2015, places the state eighth nationally.
Many of the other states also include high-priced metro areas like Massachusetts does with Boston, including each of the top five: New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Connecticut and California. Idaho, South Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota and Arizona gained the highest share of domestic migration.
United Van Lines' annual study includes demographic data for each state dating to 2013. At least 54.4% of moves involving Massachusetts have been out-migration during that time. Residents surveyed have most often cited a job for move, followed by retirement, family and lifestyle. Those 65 and older make up the biggest slice of both those moving out and moving in.
Massachusetts has not lost population despite more people moving out. The state's population rose by an estimated 5.3% from 2010 to 2019, adding nearly 345,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 2018, 1.2 million immigrants comprised 17% of the state's population, according to the American Immigration Council.
Among other New England states, Vermont captured the nation's highest percentage of in-migration at 76.6%, but didn't have enough new households to meet United Van Lines' threshold. Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island had lower but still positive in-migration rates.
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