More Americans Are on the Move, Survey Says

More households are moving to East Coast states while leaving Rust Belt states -- the area in the U.S. between the Midwest and the Northeast -- where unemployment remains high, according to the latest Atlas Lines Migration Patterns study, which has tracked the nation’s moves since 1993.

For the fifth year in a row, Washington, D.C., had the highest percentage of inbound moves while Ohio had the highest percentage of residents leaving, or “outbound moves.” Meanwhile, western states mostly stayed balanced in moves for the year. Several southeastern states, such as Florida and Georgia, also stayed balanced in moves despite high foreclosure rates, possibly because they also serve as retirement hot-spots, according to the survey.

The summer months continued to have the largest number of moves per season, according to the survey.

The following is a list from the Atlas Van Lines’ 2011 Migration Patterns study showing the top outbound states for moves (in which more than 55 percent of total shipments moved out of the state) and inbound states (in which more than 55 percent of total moving shipments moved into the state). The list is in no particular order.

Top Outbound States for Moves

Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Kansas
Nebraska
Utah
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Louisiana
New York
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Delaware
New Jersey
West Virginia
Missouri
Kansas
Hawaii
Top Inbound States for Moves

Washington, D.C.
Maryland
Texas
Virginia
North Carolina
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
New Mexico
Alaska
North Dakota
Tennessee
Source: Atlas Van Lines 2011 Migration Patterns