Florida in recent years has seen historic spikes in population growth. Now, according to new data, Florida ranks in the top 10 highest inbound household moving destinations in the United States in 2023.
The data pertains to households moving to states from other US states. Atlas Van Lines conducts their annual Migration Patterns Study which records, analyzes, and reports moving data to track national trends.
Although Florida has been in the news frequently for relocation, it did not place at number 1. The list ranks as follows:
- Maine (64%)
- North Caroline (64%)
- New Hampshire (60%)
- Montana (59%)
- Washington (59%)
- Arkansas (58%)
- Florida (58%)
- New Mexico (57%)
- District of Columbia (57%)
- Texas (56%)
Vast migrations from around the nation to Florida have been credited to affordability, hot housing markets, and areas that are good for business. However, not everyone would agree that this is the case in Florida.
In 2022, then-State Representative Carlos G. Smith (D-FL) blamed Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) for making Florida what he called, "the least affordable state in the country."
Even at that time CBS news described Florida's recent population spike as, "courting new residents and businesses attracted by the low taxes and an anti-regulation agenda." The agenda in question is most notably policies put forward by Governor DeSantis, with the biggest tax relief in state history followed by the Freedom First Budget.
Nevertheless, Florida is certainly adding residents to their population from other states. In 2022, Florida welcomed over 90,000 New Yorkers, which helped the state's population grow by 1.91% from 2021 according to data published by the USA Today.
