Where is America Moving?
Atlas Van Lines Announces 2014 Migration Trends

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (January 1, 2015) — According to one of the nation's leading movers, the 2014 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns study found that seven U.S. states experienced a shift in their migration status in 2014. The study also found that 25 states registered as balanced, meaning that moves in and out of the states were roughly equal. Additionally, the data showed the overall number of moves was down slightly compared to 2013. Atlas has conducted the study since its origination in 1993 to track the nation's interstate (or between states) moving patterns year to year as reflected in moves handled by Atlas.

In 2014, 25 states remained balanced, 11 states remained outbound and seven states, plus Washington D.C., remained inbound. Formerly inbound state Montana became balanced. And after spending 2013 as balanced states, Missouri, Vermont and West Virginia became outbound while Florida, Mississippi and Washington became inbound.

For the third consecutive year, the highest number of moves involved California, Texas and Florida. Coming in at the top for 2014 is California with 13,967 moves, followed by Texas with a close second of 13,137 moves and then Florida with 10,226 moves. For the second consecutive year, North Dakota had the highest percentage of inbound moves, with 64 percent of all moves being inbound. The state of New York experienced the highest percentage of outbound moves totaling 61 percent, coming in just above Illinois and Delaware.

"It is vital for not only the moving industry, but also our nation, to track migration patterns and better understand why and where individuals are relocating," said Jack Griffin, president and COO of Atlas World Group. "Our annual study produces tangible insights for people, companies and industries that may help influence business or personal growth."

In 2014, the total number of interstate and inter-provincial moves reached 76,979, slightly down from 77,308 in 2013. In addition, regional trends show changes occurred in the West, Northeast, South and Midwest. The most significant changes took place in the Canadian Provinces.

Northern States
The Northern states saw one major change from 2013 to 2014, with Vermont going from a balanced to outbound state. The remainder of the states did not undergo any status change in 2014. New York and New Jersey have been outbound for more than 12 years, while Washington, D.C., remains the only location in the area to be inbound over that same time span.

Southern States
The Southern states had three status changes, with Florida and Mississippi going from balanced to inbound states. West Virginia also shifted from balanced to outbound. Once again, Florida ranks in the top three states with the highest number of moves.

Midwestern States
The Midwestern states remained the same in 2014, with the exception of Missouri going from balanced to outbound. Similar to 2013, North Dakota was the only state in the region to register as inbound.

Western States
The Western states registered two changes: Montana went from being inbound to balanced while Washington changed from balanced to inbound in 2014. Similar to 2013, the majority of the western United States remained balanced.

Canadian Provinces
The most significant change for 2014 occurred in the Canadian Provinces where five provinces changed status: Alberta and New Brunswick went from being balanced to outbound; Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island went from being inbound to outbound; and Northwest Territories went from outbound to inbound. In addition, the Yukon Territory became outbound.

How Status is Determined
Each state's or province's status is determined by its threshold value, which is the total number of shipments multiplied by 0.55 (i.e., in a state with 100 moves, at least 55 must be outgoing to be considered outbound). All other states or provinces in which outbound or inbound numbers don't exceed the threshold are classified as balanced. Shipments noted for Canada are cross-border to the U.S. or from the U.S. (not inter-provincial).

To view full results of the 2014 migration patterns, a map and annual histories for each state, visit www.atlasvanlines.com/migration-patterns/. For an infographic on the results, visit www.atlasvanlines.com/infographics/2014-migration-patterns/.

Where is America Moving?
Atlas Van Lines Announces 2014 Migration Trends

- CMSA Communicator