Alabama continued its trend of welcoming citizens who have moved from different states in 2021.
United Van Lines recently released the company’s 45th Annual National Migration Study. The study revealed that in 2021, Americans continued to move westbound and southbound. The study naturally accounted for the COVID-19 pandemic, which factored into and accelerated many decisions to move.
The study is conducted by compiling data from United Van Lines’ customers who have used the company to move across state lines.
Alabama was ranked 6th in the nation for incoming moves and maintained a low percentage of people leaving the state.
Reasons for moving are also recorded. Retirement, occupational change, lifestyle change, and cost of living are among the documented reasons given for moving states.
Some 62% of Alabama's moves are inbound. Alabama has improved since last year when it came in 8th place overall. Alabama edged Florida in 2020 but trailed Florida in 2021.
Although Alabama is ranked 6th for total inbound moves, it is only listed in the top 10 for only one category. Specifically, Alabama was ranked 6th for those moving for new employment (45%). The fewest percentage of movers came to Alabama for health benefits and cost of living, both coming in under 5% of inbound movers.
The area most moved to in the state was Huntsville, which came in 14th place for the most inbound moves in the nation.
The percentages are of those moving in or out of the state, not of the total population.
Vermont (74%), South Dakota (69%), South Carolina (63%), and West Virginia (63%) were also revealed as the top inbound states for 2021.
Meanwhile, states like Illinois (67%), New York (63%), Connecticut (60%), and California (59%), which have regularly appeared on the top outbound list in recent years, again ranked among states with the most significant outbound moves.
The study is consistent with information from the U.S Census Bureau, which stated that 2.3% of Alabama’s population has moved to the state in the past year, bringing the estimated population to 5,024,279.
The Census Bureau shows that numbers had remained somewhat steady until the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many to speculate that the less restrictive masking and vaccine policies for businesses have led to the exodus from more restrictive states.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819News.com.
