Where people in West Virginia are moving to most
Written by:
May 24, 2022
Tim Kiser // Wikicommons
Where people in West Virginia are moving to most
The U.S. is among the most mobile countries in the world, but our rates of moving have slumped in recent decades. In 2019, for example, a lower percentage of Americans changed residence than any year prior since 1947 when migration statistics were first gathered by the Census Bureau. Between March of 2019 and 2020, just 9.3% of Americans moved.
American migration has been in some form of decline since the housing boom and economic growth of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. During that period, as much as 20% of the population moved each year.
Stacker compiled a list of where people in West Virginia are moving to most using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. States are ranked by the number of people that have moved from West Virginia in 2019. Keep reading to see where people in your home state are moving the most.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#40. Massachusetts
- Moved from West Virginia to Massachusetts in 2019: 63
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Massachusetts to West Virginia in 2019: 425
--- #35 most common destination from Massachusetts
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Massachusetts to West Virginia in 2019: 425
--- #35 most common destination from Massachusetts
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randy andy // Shutterstock
#39. Nevada
- Moved from West Virginia to Nevada in 2019: 74
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Nevada to West Virginia in 2019: 64
--- #45 most common destination from Nevada
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Nevada to West Virginia in 2019: 64
--- #45 most common destination from Nevada
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spablab // Flickr
#38. Rhode Island
- Moved from West Virginia to Rhode Island in 2019: 83
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Rhode Island to West Virginia in 2019: 124
--- #28 most common destination from Rhode Island
--- 0.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Rhode Island to West Virginia in 2019: 124
--- #28 most common destination from Rhode Island
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Canva
#37. Arkansas
- Moved from West Virginia to Arkansas in 2019: 133
--- 0.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from Arkansas to West Virginia in 2019: 120
--- #40 most common destination from Arkansas
--- 0.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from Arkansas to West Virginia in 2019: 120
--- #40 most common destination from Arkansas
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Katherine Welles // Shutterstock
#36. Nebraska
- Moved from West Virginia to Nebraska in 2019: 148
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Nebraska to West Virginia in 2019: 96
--- #40 (tie) most common destination from Nebraska
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Nebraska to West Virginia in 2019: 96
--- #40 (tie) most common destination from Nebraska
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#35. New Hampshire
- Moved from West Virginia to New Hampshire in 2019: 155
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from New Hampshire to West Virginia in 2019: 37
--- #39 (tie) most common destination from New Hampshire
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from New Hampshire to West Virginia in 2019: 37
--- #39 (tie) most common destination from New Hampshire
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Kzollman // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Kansas
- Moved from West Virginia to Kansas in 2019: 174
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Kansas to West Virginia in 2019: 45
--- #45 most common destination from Kansas
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Kansas to West Virginia in 2019: 45
--- #45 most common destination from Kansas
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Sara Goth // Wikicommons
#33. Montana
- Moved from West Virginia to Montana in 2019: 176
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Montana to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #47 (tie) most common destination from Montana
--- 0.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Montana to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #47 (tie) most common destination from Montana
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#32. Hawaii
- Moved from West Virginia to Hawaii in 2019: 197
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Hawaii to West Virginia in 2019: 256
--- #32 most common destination from Hawaii
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Hawaii to West Virginia in 2019: 256
--- #32 most common destination from Hawaii
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Drobinson // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Oklahoma
- Moved from West Virginia to Oklahoma in 2019: 216
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Oklahoma to West Virginia in 2019: 117
--- #44 most common destination from Oklahoma
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Oklahoma to West Virginia in 2019: 117
--- #44 most common destination from Oklahoma
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Tim Kiser // Wikicommons
#30. Delaware
- Moved from West Virginia to Delaware in 2019: 219
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Delaware to West Virginia in 2019: 127
--- #20 most common destination from Delaware
--- 0.5% of residents that moved
- Moved from Delaware to West Virginia in 2019: 127
--- #20 most common destination from Delaware
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DPPed// Wikimedia
#29. Arizona
- Moved from West Virginia to Arizona in 2019: 237
--- 0.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Arizona to West Virginia in 2019: 356
--- #46 most common destination from Arizona
--- 0.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Arizona to West Virginia in 2019: 356
--- #46 most common destination from Arizona
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Nick Kelly / Faithlife Corporation
#28. Washington
- Moved from West Virginia to Washington in 2019: 275
--- 0.7% of residents that moved
- Moved from Washington to West Virginia in 2019: 129
--- #49 most common destination from Washington
--- 0.7% of residents that moved
- Moved from Washington to West Virginia in 2019: 129
--- #49 most common destination from Washington
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en:User:Paul.h // Wikimedia
#27. California
- Moved from West Virginia to California in 2019: 303
--- 0.7% of residents that moved
- Moved from California to West Virginia in 2019: 940
--- #48 most common destination from California
--- 0.7% of residents that moved
- Moved from California to West Virginia in 2019: 940
--- #48 most common destination from California
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Larry Jacobsen // Flickr
#26. Wyoming
- Moved from West Virginia to Wyoming in 2019: 308
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Wyoming to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #43 (tie) most common destination from Wyoming
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Wyoming to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #43 (tie) most common destination from Wyoming
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Nile Dean Meservy // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Utah
- Moved from West Virginia to Utah in 2019: 322
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Utah to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #49 (tie) most common destination from Utah
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Utah to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #49 (tie) most common destination from Utah
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Andrew Bossi // Wikimedia
#24. Washington, D.C.
- Moved from West Virginia to Washington, D.C. in 2019: 324
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Washington, D.C. to West Virginia in 2019: 154
--- #34 most common destination from Washington, D.C.
--- 0.8% of residents that moved
- Moved from Washington, D.C. to West Virginia in 2019: 154
--- #34 most common destination from Washington, D.C.
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#23. Alaska
- Moved from West Virginia to Alaska in 2019: 355
--- 0.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Alaska to West Virginia in 2019: 192
--- #39 most common destination from Alaska
--- 0.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Alaska to West Virginia in 2019: 192
--- #39 most common destination from Alaska
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Christopher & Amy Esposito // Wikicommons
#22. Illinois
- Moved from West Virginia to Illinois in 2019: 379
--- 0.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Illinois to West Virginia in 2019: 380
--- #48 most common destination from Illinois
--- 0.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Illinois to West Virginia in 2019: 380
--- #48 most common destination from Illinois
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#21. Georgia
- Moved from West Virginia to Georgia in 2019: 408
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Georgia to West Virginia in 2019: 658
--- #39 most common destination from Georgia
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Georgia to West Virginia in 2019: 658
--- #39 most common destination from Georgia
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JonathanVictor // Wikimedia
#20. Connecticut
- Moved from West Virginia to Connecticut in 2019: 408
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Connecticut to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #49 most common destination from Connecticut
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Connecticut to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #49 most common destination from Connecticut
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SD Dirk // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Iowa
- Moved from West Virginia to Iowa in 2019: 409
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Iowa to West Virginia in 2019: 119
--- #41 most common destination from Iowa
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Iowa to West Virginia in 2019: 119
--- #41 most common destination from Iowa
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M Floyd // Flickr
#18. Alabama
- Moved from West Virginia to Alabama in 2019: 421
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Alabama to West Virginia in 2019: 245
--- #40 most common destination from Alabama
--- 1.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Alabama to West Virginia in 2019: 245
--- #40 most common destination from Alabama
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Bob Jagendorf // Wikicommons
#17. New Jersey
- Moved from West Virginia to New Jersey in 2019: 494
--- 1.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from New Jersey to West Virginia in 2019: 527
--- #34 most common destination from New Jersey
--- 1.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from New Jersey to West Virginia in 2019: 527
--- #34 most common destination from New Jersey
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Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
#16. Colorado
- Moved from West Virginia to Colorado in 2019: 502
--- 1.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Colorado to West Virginia in 2019: 266
--- #49 most common destination from Colorado
--- 1.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Colorado to West Virginia in 2019: 266
--- #49 most common destination from Colorado
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#15. New York
- Moved from West Virginia to New York in 2019: 530
--- 1.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from New York to West Virginia in 2019: 546
--- #43 most common destination from New York
--- 1.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from New York to West Virginia in 2019: 546
--- #43 most common destination from New York
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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Wisconsin
- Moved from West Virginia to Wisconsin in 2019: 572
--- 1.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Wisconsin to West Virginia in 2019: 41
--- #47 most common destination from Wisconsin
--- 1.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Wisconsin to West Virginia in 2019: 41
--- #47 most common destination from Wisconsin
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#13. Mississippi
- Moved from West Virginia to Mississippi in 2019: 647
--- 1.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Mississippi to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #46 (tie) most common destination from Mississippi
--- 1.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Mississippi to West Virginia in 2019: 0
--- #46 (tie) most common destination from Mississippi
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay
#12. Michigan
- Moved from West Virginia to Michigan in 2019: 767
--- 1.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Michigan to West Virginia in 2019: 316
--- #41 most common destination from Michigan
--- 1.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from Michigan to West Virginia in 2019: 316
--- #41 most common destination from Michigan
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TommyBrison // Shutterstock
#11. Missouri
- Moved from West Virginia to Missouri in 2019: 829
--- 2.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Missouri to West Virginia in 2019: 361
--- #42 most common destination from Missouri
--- 2.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Missouri to West Virginia in 2019: 361
--- #42 most common destination from Missouri
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Chris Watson // Wikicommons
#10. Kentucky
- Moved from West Virginia to Kentucky in 2019: 983
--- 2.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Kentucky to West Virginia in 2019: 1,518
--- #15 most common destination from Kentucky
--- 2.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Kentucky to West Virginia in 2019: 1,518
--- #15 most common destination from Kentucky
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Alan Botting // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Texas
- Moved from West Virginia to Texas in 2019: 1,059
--- 2.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Texas to West Virginia in 2019: 927
--- #46 most common destination from Texas
--- 2.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Texas to West Virginia in 2019: 927
--- #46 most common destination from Texas
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Imilious // Wikicommons
#8. Tennessee
- Moved from West Virginia to Tennessee in 2019: 1,235
--- 3.1% of residents that moved
- Moved from Tennessee to West Virginia in 2019: 402
--- #40 most common destination from Tennessee
--- 3.1% of residents that moved
- Moved from Tennessee to West Virginia in 2019: 402
--- #40 most common destination from Tennessee
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Akhenaton06 // Wikicommons
#7. South Carolina
- Moved from West Virginia to South Carolina in 2019: 1,559
--- 3.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from South Carolina to West Virginia in 2019: 2,882
--- #11 most common destination from South Carolina
--- 3.9% of residents that moved
- Moved from South Carolina to West Virginia in 2019: 2,882
--- #11 most common destination from South Carolina
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Kolossos // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Florida
- Moved from West Virginia to Florida in 2019: 2,186
--- 5.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Florida to West Virginia in 2019: 3,052
--- #34 most common destination from Florida
--- 5.4% of residents that moved
- Moved from Florida to West Virginia in 2019: 3,052
--- #34 most common destination from Florida
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Sharkshock // Shutterstock
#5. North Carolina
- Moved from West Virginia to North Carolina in 2019: 2,950
--- 7.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from North Carolina to West Virginia in 2019: 2,515
--- #26 most common destination from North Carolina
--- 7.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from North Carolina to West Virginia in 2019: 2,515
--- #26 most common destination from North Carolina
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ESB Professional // Shutterstock
#4. Pennsylvania
- Moved from West Virginia to Pennsylvania in 2019: 3,763
--- 9.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from Pennsylvania to West Virginia in 2019: 5,706
--- #14 most common destination from Pennsylvania
--- 9.3% of residents that moved
- Moved from Pennsylvania to West Virginia in 2019: 5,706
--- #14 most common destination from Pennsylvania
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Famartin // Wikicommons
#3. Maryland
- Moved from West Virginia to Maryland in 2019: 4,933
--- 12.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Maryland to West Virginia in 2019: 3,976
--- #11 most common destination from Maryland
--- 12.2% of residents that moved
- Moved from Maryland to West Virginia in 2019: 3,976
--- #11 most common destination from Maryland
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Ron Cogswell//Wikicommons
#2. Virginia
- Moved from West Virginia to Virginia in 2019: 5,518
--- 13.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Virginia to West Virginia in 2019: 6,008
--- #14 most common destination from Virginia
--- 13.6% of residents that moved
- Moved from Virginia to West Virginia in 2019: 6,008
--- #14 most common destination from Virginia
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#1. Ohio
- Moved from West Virginia to Ohio in 2019: 6,056
--- 15.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Ohio to West Virginia in 2019: 4,985
--- #16 most common destination from Ohio
--- 15.0% of residents that moved
- Moved from Ohio to West Virginia in 2019: 4,985
--- #16 most common destination from Ohio
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