People move to new cities for a myriad of reasons, from family and finances to relationships and jobs, or even perhaps as an escape and a chance to start fresh. Although the relocation rate has decreased slightly, at least 27 million Americans have resettled each year since the government began record keeping in 1948. Many parts of the country offer advantages with more universal appeal, and some of these places have seen a population boom in the last year.
24/7 Wall St. identified the cities bringing in the most people by using metro area data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program. Metro areas were ranked based on the percentage change in population due to net migration from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Data was aggregated from the county to the metropolitan level using metropolitan statistical area definitions for July 2023 from the Census Bureau.
The amount of people who moved to each of the metro areas listed here, between July 2021 and June 2022, is larger than the amount who moved out by anywhere from about 1,400 to over 128,000. In some cases, this amounted to a population increase of well over 4%, not factoring in population change from births or deaths. While domestic migration accounted for the bulk of new residents in the cities on this list, all but one have also had a net gain in international migrants as well. (Here is a look at the best U.S. cities for immigrants, according to data.)
Many of the metro areas on this list have warm temperatures year-round, which is where many Americans move to each year to be in a better climate. Of the 50 cities on this list, 39 are located in the South, including 18 in Florida alone. Meanwhile, only three cities on this list are in the Midwest and none are in the Northeast.
A pull factor in many of these places may be the financial incentives. Including the 18 metro areas in Florida, the four in Texas, and the three in Tennessee, over half of the cities on this list are in states that do not levy a personal income tax. (This is where Americans are paying the most in state and local taxes.)
Here are the cities with the highest influx of new residents last year.
50. Charleston-North Charleston, SC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.6% (+13,324)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +11,048
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,276
- Total population, 2022: 830,529
49. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.6% (+128,239)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +89,734
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +38,505
- Total population, 2022: 7,943,685
48. Billings, MT
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.7% (+3,128)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,828
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +300
- Total population, 2022: 190,208
47. Bellingham, WA
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.7% (+3,865)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,342
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +523
- Total population, 2022: 230,677
46. Hinesville, GA
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.7% (+1,438)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,324
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +114
- Total population, 2022: 86,378
45. Raleigh-Cary, NC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.8% (+25,616)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +19,985
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,631
- Total population, 2022: 1,484,338
44. Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+3,338)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,390
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: -52
- Total population, 2022: 183,578
43. Sioux Falls, SD-MN
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+5,448)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,137
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,311
- Total population, 2022: 299,129
42. Savannah, GA
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+7,740)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +7,009
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +731
- Total population, 2022: 418,373
41. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+5,590)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,078
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +512
- Total population, 2022: 299,786
40. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+10,763)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,249
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,514
- Total population, 2022: 576,403
39. Knoxville, TN
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+17,646)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +16,856
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +790
- Total population, 2022: 932,245
38. Huntsville, AL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+9,712)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,089
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +623
- Total population, 2022: 514,465
37. Tyler, TX
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+4,595)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,359
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +236
- Total population, 2022: 241,922
36. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +1.9% (+18,327)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +15,462
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,865
- Total population, 2022: 958,958
35. Rapid City, SD
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.0% (+2,985)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,733
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +252
- Total population, 2022: 154,165
34. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.0% (+47,442)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +37,624
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,818
- Total population, 2022: 2,421,115
33. Jacksonville, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.0% (+33,074)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +28,755
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,319
- Total population, 2022: 1,675,668
32. Johnson City, TN
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.1% (+4,274)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,118
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +156
- Total population, 2022: 210,256
31. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.1% (+67,504)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +54,752
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +12,752
- Total population, 2022: 3,290,730
30. Morristown, TN
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.2% (+2,586)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,501
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +85
- Total population, 2022: 121,895
29. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.2% (+59,198)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +37,362
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +21,836
- Total population, 2022: 2,764,182
28. Gainesville, GA
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.2% (+4,570)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,232
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +338
- Total population, 2022: 212,692
27. Helena, MT
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.3% (+2,162)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,089
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +73
- Total population, 2022: 94,451
26. Greeley, CO
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.4% (+8,027)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +7,536
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +491
- Total population, 2022: 350,176
25. Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.5% (+5,990)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,784
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +206
- Total population, 2022: 246,191
24. Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.6% (+2,650)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,560
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +90
- Total population, 2022: 105,531
23. Sherman-Denison, TX
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.6% (+3,624)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,525
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +99
- Total population, 2022: 143,131
22. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.6% (+5,794)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,191
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +603
- Total population, 2022: 228,410
21. Lansing-East Lansing, MI
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.6% (+12,034)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +10,769
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,265
- Total population, 2022: 472,848
20. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.7% (+16,460)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +15,445
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,015
- Total population, 2022: 630,693
19. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.8% (+6,137)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +6,038
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +99
- Total population, 2022: 220,816
18. Spartanburg, SC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.9% (+10,468)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,916
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +552
- Total population, 2022: 372,583
17. Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.9% (+4,778)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +4,471
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +307
- Total population, 2022: 167,352
16. St. George, UT
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +2.9% (+5,641)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,581
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +60
- Total population, 2022: 197,680
15. Naples-Marco Island, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.0% (+11,543)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,104
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,439
- Total population, 2022: 397,994
14. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.0% (+7,297)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +6,982
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +315
- Total population, 2022: 246,435
13. Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.2% (+6,451)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +5,918
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +533
- Total population, 2022: 210,548
12. Sebring, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.4% (+3,463)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,290
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +173
- Total population, 2022: 105,618
11. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.4% (+23,195)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +21,977
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +1,218
- Total population, 2022: 705,897
10. Port St. Lucie, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.5% (+17,784)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +16,855
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +929
- Total population, 2022: 520,710
9. Ocala, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.6% (+14,028)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +13,496
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +532
- Total population, 2022: 396,415
8. Wilmington, NC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.7% (+16,235)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +15,836
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +399
- Total population, 2022: 453,722
7. North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +3.9% (+33,897)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +31,893
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,004
- Total population, 2022: 891,411
6. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +4.1% (+32,422)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +29,094
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +3,328
- Total population, 2022: 822,453
5. Homosassa Springs, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +4.1% (+6,551)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +6,498
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +53
- Total population, 2022: 162,529
4. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +4.2% (+31,955)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +29,624
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +2,331
- Total population, 2022: 787,404
3. Punta Gorda, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +4.9% (+9,523)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +9,232
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +291
- Total population, 2022: 202,661
2. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +4.9% (+18,097)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +17,422
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +675
- Total population, 2022: 383,101
1. Wildwood-The Villages, FL
- Population change due to net migration, 2021 to 2022: +8.7% (+11,683)
- Net domestic migration, 2021 to 2022: +11,577
- Net international migration, 2021 to 2022: +106
- Total population, 2022: 144,970
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