Special Report

Americans are Flocking to Illinois From These States

Sam Stebbins / 24/7 Wall St.

Americans are more likely to move to a new state than they have been in years. According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 8.2 million people moved between states in 2022, more than in any year in over a decade.

While reasons for moving vary from person to person, historically high rates of interstate mobility may be tied to recent changes in the labor market — specifically, the sweeping adoption of remote work policies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Census data shows that more than 24 million Americans worked from home in 2022, compared to fewer than 9 million in 2019, the year before the pandemic.

Without needing to be within commuting distance of their office, larger shares of the population are free to choose a place to live based on other factors, including housing, climate, cost of living, and family. Whatever the explanations may be, census data shows that some states are far more popular destinations than others — and Illinois is drawing in more new residents from other parts of the country than the vast majority of states.

An estimated 228,300 Americans relocated to Illinois in 2022, the 12th most of any state. Inbound moves to Illinois originated from each of the 49 other states, as well as Washington, D.C. in 2022.

The number of Americans who moved to Illinois in 2022 ranges from about 50 to nearly 20,600, depending on the state. Not surprisingly, the states reporting the largest outflow of residents to Illinois include many of the most populous states in the country, as well as several states that share a border with Illinois.

These are the states the most Americans are leaving for Illinois.

50. South Dakota: 46 people

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from South Dakota who moved to Illinois in 2022: 46 (0.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of South Dakota in 2022: 28,803 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 909,824 (5th smallest of 50 states)

49. Rhode Island: 91 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Rhode Island who moved to Illinois in 2022: 91 (0.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Rhode Island in 2022: 39,156 — 9th fewest of 50 states (0.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,093,734 (7th smallest of 50 states)

48. Vermont: 98 people

AlbertPego / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • People from Vermont who moved to Illinois in 2022: 98 (0.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Vermont in 2022: 23,170 — the fewest of 50 states (0.4% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 647,064 (2nd smallest of 50 states)

47. West Virginia: 105 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from West Virginia who moved to Illinois in 2022: 105 (0.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of West Virginia in 2022: 40,535 — 10th fewest of 50 states (0.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,775,156 (12th smallest of 50 states)

46. New Hampshire: 120 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Hampshire who moved to Illinois in 2022: 120 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Hampshire in 2022: 46,866 — 11th fewest of 50 states (0.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,395,231 (10th smallest of 50 states)

45. Delaware: 218 people

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Delaware who moved to Illinois in 2022: 218 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Delaware in 2022: 33,691 — 6th fewest of 50 states (0.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,018,396 (6th smallest of 50 states)

44. Montana: 242 people

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Montana who moved to Illinois in 2022: 242 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Montana in 2022: 38,483 — 8th fewest of 50 states (0.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,122,867 (8th smallest of 50 states)

43. Maine: 304 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Maine who moved to Illinois in 2022: 304 (0.1% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Maine in 2022: 34,659 — 7th fewest of 50 states (0.9% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,385,340 (9th smallest of 50 states)

42. Utah: 349 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Utah who moved to Illinois in 2022: 349 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Utah in 2022: 109,290 — 25th fewest of 50 states (0.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,380,800 (21st smallest of 50 states)

41. Alaska: 434 people

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Alaska who moved to Illinois in 2022: 434 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Alaska in 2022: 32,755 — 5th fewest of 50 states (1.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 733,583 (3rd smallest of 50 states)

40. Wyoming: 449 people

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Wyoming who moved to Illinois in 2022: 449 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Wyoming in 2022: 27,005 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (1.7% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 581,381 (the smallest of 50 states)

39. Connecticut: 474 people

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Connecticut who moved to Illinois in 2022: 474 (0.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Connecticut in 2022: 88,733 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (0.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,626,205 (22nd smallest of 50 states)

38. North Dakota: 630 people

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from North Dakota who moved to Illinois in 2022: 630 (0.3% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of North Dakota in 2022: 28,359 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (2.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 779,261 (4th smallest of 50 states)

37. Hawaii: 785 people

okimo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Hawaii who moved to Illinois in 2022: 785 (0.3% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Hawaii in 2022: 67,257 — 15th fewest of 50 states (1.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,440,196 (11th smallest of 50 states)

36. New Mexico: 827 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Mexico who moved to Illinois in 2022: 827 (0.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Mexico in 2022: 58,443 — 13th fewest of 50 states (1.4% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,113,344 (15th smallest of 50 states)

35. Idaho: 839 people

vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Idaho who moved to Illinois in 2022: 839 (0.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Idaho in 2022: 70,542 — 17th fewest of 50 states (1.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,939,033 (13th smallest of 50 states)

34. Mississippi: 853 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Mississippi who moved to Illinois in 2022: 853 (0.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Mississippi in 2022: 59,596 — 14th fewest of 50 states (1.4% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,940,057 (17th smallest of 50 states)

33. District of Columbia: 1,028 people

Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from District of Columbia who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,028 (0.5% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of District of Columbia in 2022: 67,904 — (1.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 671,803

32. Nevada: 1,135 people

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Nevada who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,135 (0.5% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Nevada in 2022: 114,131 — 25th most of 50 states (1.0% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,177,772 (19th smallest of 50 states)

31. Oklahoma: 1,353 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Oklahoma who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,353 (0.6% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Oklahoma in 2022: 85,782 — 20th fewest of 50 states (1.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,019,800 (23rd smallest of 50 states)

30. Arkansas: 1,468 people

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Arkansas who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,468 (0.6% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Arkansas in 2022: 74,408 — 18th fewest of 50 states (2.0% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,045,637 (18th smallest of 50 states)

29. Nebraska: 1,580 people

Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • People from Nebraska who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,580 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Nebraska in 2022: 49,472 — 12th fewest of 50 states (3.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 1,967,923 (14th smallest of 50 states)

27. Oregon: 1,706 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Oregon who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,706 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Oregon in 2022: 157,729 — 19th most of 50 states (1.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,240,137 (24th smallest of 50 states)

27. South Carolina: 1,706 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from South Carolina who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,706 (0.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of South Carolina in 2022: 154,398 — 21st most of 50 states (1.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,282,634 (23rd largest of 50 states)

26. Louisiana: 1,823 people

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Louisiana who moved to Illinois in 2022: 1,823 (0.8% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Louisiana in 2022: 105,897 — 24th fewest of 50 states (1.7% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,590,241 (25th largest of 50 states)

25. Kansas: 2,072 people

Kansas | Wichita, Kansas, USA Downtown Skyline
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Kansas who moved to Illinois in 2022: 2,072 (0.9% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Kansas in 2022: 84,558 — 19th fewest of 50 states (2.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 2,937,150 (16th smallest of 50 states)

24. Maryland: 2,260 people

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Maryland who moved to Illinois in 2022: 2,260 (1.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Maryland in 2022: 205,406 — 14th most of 50 states (1.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,164,660 (19th largest of 50 states)

23. Alabama: 2,389 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Alabama who moved to Illinois in 2022: 2,389 (1.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Alabama in 2022: 102,894 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (2.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,074,296 (24th largest of 50 states)

22. New Jersey: 3,576 people

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New Jersey who moved to Illinois in 2022: 3,576 (1.6% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New Jersey in 2022: 267,106 — 8th most of 50 states (1.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 9,261,699 (11th largest of 50 states)

21. Minnesota: 3,743 people

Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Minnesota who moved to Illinois in 2022: 3,743 (1.6% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Minnesota in 2022: 130,807 — 23rd most of 50 states (2.9% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,717,184 (22nd largest of 50 states)

20. Virginia: 3,866 people

drone-and-quadcopter / Flickr
  • People from Virginia who moved to Illinois in 2022: 3,866 (1.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Virginia in 2022: 282,050 — 6th most of 50 states (1.4% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 8,683,619 (12th largest of 50 states)

19. Washington: 3,965 people

LoweStock / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Washington who moved to Illinois in 2022: 3,965 (1.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Washington in 2022: 257,785 — 10th most of 50 states (1.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,785,786 (13th largest of 50 states)

18. Kentucky: 4,087 people

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Kentucky who moved to Illinois in 2022: 4,087 (1.8% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Kentucky in 2022: 88,556 — 21st fewest of 50 states (4.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 4,512,310 (25th smallest of 50 states)

17. Pennsylvania: 4,475 people

kimon / Flickr
  • People from Pennsylvania who moved to Illinois in 2022: 4,475 (2.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Pennsylvania in 2022: 278,699 — 7th most of 50 states (1.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 12,972,008 (5th largest of 50 states)

16. Arizona: 5,377 people

dougtone / Flickr
  • People from Arizona who moved to Illinois in 2022: 5,377 (2.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Arizona in 2022: 204,734 — 15th most of 50 states (2.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,359,197 (14th largest of 50 states)

15. North Carolina: 5,384 people

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from North Carolina who moved to Illinois in 2022: 5,384 (2.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of North Carolina in 2022: 259,422 — 9th most of 50 states (2.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,698,973 (9th largest of 50 states)

14. Massachusetts: 5,625 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Massachusetts who moved to Illinois in 2022: 5,625 (2.5% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Massachusetts in 2022: 214,644 — 13th most of 50 states (2.6% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,981,974 (16th largest of 50 states)

13. Colorado: 6,720 people

kenlund / Flickr
  • People from Colorado who moved to Illinois in 2022: 6,720 (2.9% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Colorado in 2022: 239,200 — 12th most of 50 states (2.8% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,839,926 (21st largest of 50 states)

12. Tennessee: 7,420 people

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Tennessee who moved to Illinois in 2022: 7,420 (3.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Tennessee in 2022: 182,669 — 17th most of 50 states (4.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 7,051,339 (15th largest of 50 states)

11. Georgia: 7,424 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Georgia who moved to Illinois in 2022: 7,424 (3.3% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Georgia in 2022: 253,275 — 11th most of 50 states (2.9% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,912,876 (8th largest of 50 states)

10. Iowa: 8,532 people

pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Iowa who moved to Illinois in 2022: 8,532 (3.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Iowa in 2022: 70,359 — 16th fewest of 50 states (12.1% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 3,200,517 (20th smallest of 50 states)

9. Ohio: 11,296 people

espiegle / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Ohio who moved to Illinois in 2022: 11,296 (4.9% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Ohio in 2022: 196,766 — 16th most of 50 states (5.7% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 11,756,058 (7th largest of 50 states)

8. New York: 12,072 people

StockByM / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from New York who moved to Illinois in 2022: 12,072 (5.3% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of New York in 2022: 545,598 — 2nd most of 50 states (2.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 19,677,151 (4th largest of 50 states)

7. Michigan: 12,283 people

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • People from Michigan who moved to Illinois in 2022: 12,283 (5.4% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Michigan in 2022: 167,885 — 18th most of 50 states (7.3% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 10,034,118 (10th largest of 50 states)

6. Wisconsin: 12,764 people

warrenlemay / Flickr
  • People from Wisconsin who moved to Illinois in 2022: 12,764 (5.6% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Wisconsin in 2022: 121,329 — 24th most of 50 states (10.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 5,892,539 (20th largest of 50 states)

5. Indiana: 13,792 people

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Indiana who moved to Illinois in 2022: 13,792 (6.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Indiana in 2022: 137,624 — 22nd most of 50 states (10.0% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,833,037 (17th largest of 50 states)

4. Florida: 14,078 people

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Florida who moved to Illinois in 2022: 14,078 (6.2% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Florida in 2022: 489,905 — 4th most of 50 states (2.9% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 22,244,823 (3rd largest of 50 states)

3. Missouri: 15,923 people

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Missouri who moved to Illinois in 2022: 15,923 (7.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Missouri in 2022: 156,845 — 20th most of 50 states (10.2% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 6,177,957 (18th largest of 50 states)

2. Texas: 19,949 people

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • People from Texas who moved to Illinois in 2022: 19,949 (8.7% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of Texas in 2022: 494,077 — 3rd most of 50 states (4.0% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 30,029,572 (2nd largest of 50 states)

1. California: 20,573 people

2024 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • People from California who moved to Illinois in 2022: 20,573 (9.0% of Americans who moved to Illinois)
  • Total num. of Americans who moved out of California in 2022: 817,669 — the most of 50 states (2.5% moved to Illinois)
  • Total population in 2022: 39,029,342 (the largest of 50 states)
Rank Geography Residents who moved to Illinois in 2022 Pct. all inbound moves to Illinois
50 South Dakota 46 0.02
49 Rhode Island 91 0.04
48 Vermont 98 0.04
47 West Virginia 105 0.05
46 New Hampshire 120 0.05
45 Delaware 218 0.10
44 Montana 242 0.11
43 Maine 304 0.13
42 Utah 349 0.15
41 Alaska 434 0.19
40 Wyoming 449 0.20
39 Connecticut 474 0.21
38 North Dakota 630 0.28
37 Hawaii 785 0.34
36 New Mexico 827 0.36
35 Idaho 839 0.37
34 Mississippi 853 0.37
33 District of Columbia 1,028 0.45
32 Nevada 1,135 0.50
31 Oklahoma 1,353 0.59
30 Arkansas 1,468 0.64
29 Nebraska 1,580 0.69
27 Oregon 1,706 0.75
27 South Carolina 1,706 0.75
26 Louisiana 1,823 0.80
25 Kansas 2,072 0.91
24 Maryland 2,260 0.99
23 Alabama 2,389 1.05
22 New Jersey 3,576 1.57
21 Minnesota 3,743 1.64
20 Virginia 3,866 1.69
19 Washington 3,965 1.74
18 Kentucky 4,087 1.79
17 Pennsylvania 4,475 1.96
16 Arizona 5,377 2.36
15 North Carolina 5,384 2.36
14 Massachusetts 5,625 2.46
13 Colorado 6,720 2.94
12 Tennessee 7,420 3.25
11 Georgia 7,424 3.25
10 Iowa 8,532 3.74
9 Ohio 11,296 4.95
8 New York 12,072 5.29
7 Michigan 12,283 5.38
6 Wisconsin 12,764 5.59
5 Indiana 13,792 6.04
4 Florida 14,078 6.17
3 Missouri 15,923 6.97
2 Texas 19,949 8.74
1 California 20,573 9.01

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.