Aug 12, 2022 - News
Where young Austinites go when they leave
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The average young adult who grew up in Austin moved 173 miles away for their job, according to data by the U.S. Census Bureau's Center for Economic Studies (CES).
- That's about nine miles below the national average.
Why it matters: The migration patterns of young people can help us understand regional labor markets nationwide, with comings and goings reflecting where opportunity is, according to a July report by the bureau and Harvard University.
- Migration distances are shorter for Black and Hispanic youth, as well as those from low-income families.
Zoom in: Nearly 70% of young people stayed in Austin, but 3.9% of those who left before the age of 26 headed to Houston. San Antonio and Dallas were the next two choices.
- In fact, 18% of young adults leaving town stayed in Texas, while 13% headed out of state.
- The lowest-income young adults stayed in Austin at a rate of 73%, versus 61% for those from higher-earning families.