The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly shifted the job market in cities and towns across the country. Millions of layoffs in early 2020 forced workers to search elsewhere for jobs. Record numbers of workers have quit their jobs in the past year in favor of new pursuits in different locales. And concerns over virus spread in population-dense areas also inspired many to leave urban areas, and their jobs, in favor of rural ones.
Emerging job markets in places like Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, and Salt Lake City reflect cultural shifts in what workers are looking for in their jobs and their places of residence: year-round warmth that makes outdoor activities easy, lower income taxes, and tech-focused employers.
Stacker compiled a list of metros where the most people from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI found new jobs using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Jobs-to-Jobs Flows. Metros are ranked by the number of people that started a new job from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in the first quarter of 2021.
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#30. Jacksonville, FL
- Started a new job in Jacksonville, FL from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 27
--- 0.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Jacksonville, FL in Q1 2021: 5
--- #85 (tie) most common destination from Jacksonville, FL
- Net job flow: 22 to Jacksonville, FL
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#29. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
- Started a new job in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 29
--- 0.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL in Q1 2021: 20
--- #106 (tie) most common destination from Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
- Net job flow: 9 to Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
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#28. Toledo, OH
- Started a new job in Toledo, OH from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 30
--- 0.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Toledo, OH in Q1 2021: 30
--- #16 most common destination from Toledo, OH
- Net job flow: 0 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#27. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
- Started a new job in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 31
--- 0.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO in Q1 2021: 24
--- #73 most common destination from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
- Net job flow: 7 to Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
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#26. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Started a new job in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 33
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA in Q1 2021: 32
--- #97 (tie) most common destination from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Net job flow: 1 to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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#25. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
- Started a new job in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 35
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN in Q1 2021: 42
--- #51 most common destination from Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
- Net job flow: 7 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#24. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Started a new job in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 36
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL in Q1 2021: 12
--- #65 most common destination from Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Net job flow: 24 to Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
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#23. Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Started a new job in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 37
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN in Q1 2021: 27
--- #65 most common destination from Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Net job flow: 10 to Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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#22. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Started a new job in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 39
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL in Q1 2021: 16
--- #76 (tie) most common destination from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Net job flow: 23 to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
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#21. Elkhart-Goshen, IN
- Started a new job in Elkhart-Goshen, IN from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 40
--- 0.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Elkhart-Goshen, IN in Q1 2021: 26
--- #11 most common destination from Elkhart-Goshen, IN
- Net job flow: 14 to Elkhart-Goshen, IN
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#20. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Started a new job in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 47
--- 0.5% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA in Q1 2021: 41
--- #89 (tie) most common destination from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Net job flow: 6 to New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
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#19. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- Started a new job in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 47
--- 0.5% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA in Q1 2021: 40
--- #105 (tie) most common destination from Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- Net job flow: 7 to Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
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#18. South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
- Started a new job in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 52
--- 0.6% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI in Q1 2021: 82
--- #11 most common destination from South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
- Net job flow: 30 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#17. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Started a new job in Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 52
--- 0.6% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN in Q1 2021: 50
--- #37 most common destination from Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Net job flow: 2 to Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
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#16. Bay City, MI
- Started a new job in Bay City, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 61
--- 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Bay City, MI in Q1 2021: 64
--- #5 most common destination from Bay City, MI
- Net job flow: 3 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#15. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Started a new job in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 62
--- 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX in Q1 2021: 45
--- #96 (tie) most common destination from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
- Net job flow: 17 to Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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#14. Monroe, MI
- Started a new job in Monroe, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 62
--- 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Monroe, MI in Q1 2021: 74
--- #4 most common destination from Monroe, MI
- Net job flow: 12 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#13. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Started a new job in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 65
--- 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ in Q1 2021: 30
--- #61 (tie) most common destination from Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Net job flow: 35 to Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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#12. Midland, MI
- Started a new job in Midland, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 84
--- 0.9% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Midland, MI in Q1 2021: 86
--- #3 most common destination from Midland, MI
- Net job flow: 2 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#11. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Started a new job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 137
--- 1.5% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI in Q1 2021: 192
--- #48 most common destination from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- Net job flow: 55 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#10. Saginaw, MI
- Started a new job in Saginaw, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 158
--- 1.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Saginaw, MI in Q1 2021: 315
--- #4 most common destination from Saginaw, MI
- Net job flow: 157 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#9. Jackson, MI
- Started a new job in Jackson, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 196
--- 2.1% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Jackson, MI in Q1 2021: 211
--- #3 most common destination from Jackson, MI
- Net job flow: 15 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#8. Niles, MI
- Started a new job in Niles, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 212
--- 2.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Niles, MI in Q1 2021: 2,906
--- #1 most common destination from Niles, MI
- Net job flow: 2,694 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#7. Flint, MI
- Started a new job in Flint, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 221
--- 2.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Flint, MI in Q1 2021: 299
--- #4 most common destination from Flint, MI
- Net job flow: 78 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#6. Battle Creek, MI
- Started a new job in Battle Creek, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 265
--- 2.8% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Battle Creek, MI in Q1 2021: 236
--- #2 most common destination from Battle Creek, MI
- Net job flow: 29 to Battle Creek, MI
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#5. Ann Arbor, MI
- Started a new job in Ann Arbor, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 369
--- 3.9% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Ann Arbor, MI in Q1 2021: 347
--- #1 most common destination from Ann Arbor, MI
- Net job flow: 22 to Ann Arbor, MI
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#4. Lansing-East Lansing, MI
- Started a new job in Lansing-East Lansing, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 724
--- 7.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Lansing-East Lansing, MI in Q1 2021: 857
--- #1 most common destination from Lansing-East Lansing, MI
- Net job flow: 133 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#3. Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
- Started a new job in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 734
--- 7.8% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Kalamazoo-Portage, MI in Q1 2021: 796
--- #1 most common destination from Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
- Net job flow: 62 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#2. Muskegon, MI
- Started a new job in Muskegon, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 816
--- 8.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Muskegon, MI in Q1 2021: 838
--- #-1 most common destination from Muskegon, MI
- Net job flow: 22 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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#1. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
- Started a new job in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI from Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI in Q1 2021: 3,815
--- 40.8% of total new out-of-metro jobs
- Started a new job in Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI from Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI in Q1 2021: 4,043
--- #0 most common destination from Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
- Net job flow: 228 to Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
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