Oct 8, 2023 - News
Colorado near the top in the nation for outmigration
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Maybe it's the wide open spaces. Maybe it's the cost of housing. Or maybe it's just the embedded feeling of Western freedom.
What's happening: Whatever the reason, Colorado residents like to roam.
By the numbers: The state ranked fourth in the nation for outmigrants in 2021, according to a recent Dallas Fed study using U.S. Census Bureau data.
- 42 out of every 1,000 Colorado residents left the state that year, despite the pandemic adding new residents.
- Only Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii residents move around more than us, the data shows.
Why it matters: Migration is a key factor in the state's economy, and outmigration is cited as one of the reasons for our workforce shortage.
The other side: In-migration is bringing richer people to our state, especially boosting rural economies.