Americans are on the move, and the latest Census Bureau data—released yesterday—shows exactly where they’re headed. Tracking net domestic migration (folks moving into a county minus those bailing out) from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, across all 3,144 U.S. counties and equivalents, the numbers reveal a nation shuffling its deck. The South’s still a magnet, California’s bleeding residents, and a few surprises are popping up on the map. Here’s where the action’s at—and what it means.
The South Keeps Winning
Tennessee, Florida, and South Carolina are the big draws, with counties like Williamson (near Nashville) and Horry (Myrtle Beach) posting hefty inflows—think 20+ per 1,000 residents. Georgia’s Dawson County tops the charts among bigger spots, snagging a net gain of 38 per 1,000, fueled by suburban sprawl and lower taxes. “The South’s got affordable homes and jobs that don’t chain you to an office,” says demographer Carla Evans. “Remote work’s still king.” Texas isn’t slacking either—Kaufman County, east of Dallas, leads large counties with a 42-per-1,000 rate, as city escapees chase space and cheaper living.
California’s Exodus Rolls On
Flip the coin, and California’s a bloodbath. Los Angeles County shed a net 135,000 people—tops in raw numbers—while smaller Sierra County clocked the steepest per-capita drop at -49 per 1,000. High costs and shaky remote-work policies are the culprits. “People can’t stomach $4,000 rent for a shoebox anymore,” Evans notes. San Francisco and San Diego counties aren’t far behind, each losing 20-plus per 1,000. Iowa and Louisiana join the outbound club, with rural spots like Winn Parish bleeding out fast.
Maine’s Quiet Boom
Here’s the curveball: Maine’s a unanimous winner. Every single county—from urban Cumberland to remote Aroostook—saw more folks move in than out. “It’s the anti-California,” says Evans. “Cheap land, chill vibes, and winters that scare off the faint-hearted.” Net gains hover around 5 to 10 per 1,000, modest but steady, as retirees and remote workers snap up coastal cottages.
The Map Tells the Tale
Picture this: a U.S. map splashed with blue (in-migration) across the Southeast and parts of the Mountain West, while red (out-migration) stains California, the Midwest, and chunks of the Northeast. Virginia and Utah lean blue too, with counties like St. George pulling in sun-seekers. Meanwhile, New York’s upstate holds steady, but Bronx County hemorrhaged 40 per 1,000. Hover over the Census interactive map, and the pattern’s stark: people want affordability, flexibility, and a little elbow room.
Why Now?
The 2023–2024 window captures a post-pandemic vibe—remote work’s sticking, housing costs are still nuts, and political vibes are nudging folks across state lines. “It’s not just economics,” Evans adds. “Some are chasing red or blue territory after the ‘24 election.” The South’s 62% of counties with positive net migration (up from 60% in 2022) backs that up—growth’s not slowing. Compare that to California, where only 15% of counties gained, and you’ve got a tectonic shift.
Winners and Losers
Among big counties (20,000+ residents), Georgia’s Jackson and Texas’s Montgomery round out the top gainers, while Mississippi’s Hinds and Louisiana’s Orleans lead the losers—each dropping 30-plus per 1,000. The data’s adjusted for population, so tiny counties don’t skew the story. Still, raw numbers hit hard: L.A.’s loss dwarfs Dawson’s gain in sheer volume.
What’s Next?
This isn’t a blip. With hybrid work entrenched and climate worries simmering, expect the South and sleeper states like Maine to keep pulling. California? It’s got soul-searching ahead—or a housing miracle. For now, the map’s your guide to where Americans are betting on a better 2025.