Brain Drain States

[Renovator2559]

Newsweek source obtained new data from a 2024 Study conducted by "Hire A Helper"

Published May 02, 2024

‘Brain Drain’? The States With the Largest Net Gains and Losses of College-Educated Americans

https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-most ... ns-1896631



Net moves of college-educated Americans (%)

North Dakota 0%
Nebraska -6%
Iowa -46%
Missouri -61%^
Kansas -1%
Oklahoma -62%
South Dakota -72%

Texas 45%
Washington 169%
South Carolina 137
Wisconsin 110

College-educated Americans were more likely to move (9%) than those without a college degree (7%), according to 2023 Census Bureau data
Americans with a college degree were 73% more likely to cite “a new job” as their reason for moving last year
Two of the top three destination states for Americans with college degrees — Washington (+169%) and Nevada (+111%) — don’t have state income taxes
New York state (-56%) had a higher net “brain drain” than Alabama (-45%)
Four of the top six metros college-educated Americans were most likely to leave are in California


Top Metro Losers

While Florida dominated the top destinations list, California had the most metros on the most-moved-out list.

Four of the top six metropolitan areas with the largest net losses in number of college-educated residents were metros in California: Oxnard, CA (-51%), San Jose, CA (-48%), Los Angeles, CA (-32%), and San Francisco, CA (-25%).

What’s the reason behind the California exodus?

Without being able to declare any single correlation, one can still point to its rising cost of living, a largely unchecked housing crisis, and a documented outflow of tech workers as culprits for why California is losing educated residents at an alarming rate. A similar concern can be said about the New York, NY metro, which had the second greatest (-49%) net loss of all metros when it comes to in- and out-moves by college-educated Americans.

Source:
https://blog.hireahelper.com/2024-study ... americans/


Sources and Methodology
All data on moves, their origins, destinations and reasons behind them were taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements, as available via IPUMS. All estimates and percentages are based on moves within the United States.
“College-educated American” was defined as, “someone who has completed at least an undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or similarly advanced degree.”)
Net gain and loss for states and metropolitan areas were calculated as follows:
number of people with a college degree moving into the state or city, to
the number of people with a college degree moving out of the state or city,
expressed as a percentage (%)

Highly Educated Americans Go to States Where Taxes Are Low



Brain Drain in Parts of the Midwest and Southeast Persists



Highly Educated Were More Likely to Move Because of New Job or Job Transfer

[Renovator2559]

When I look at this 2024 estimate, I notice that South Dakota no longer has the upper hand as before. With some college graduates moving in, on the previous "Brain Drain stat", but this time around South Dakota is losing a lot of people.

If one looks at this map, Nebraska is average; it could be better. Look at Oklahoma (on top of the brain drain status, Oklahoma is on the top 10 worst states 2024 U.S News), Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota; they are doing much worse. This is a regional problem.

I think people have to realize that usually the populous states will often absorb more people due to the amount of population centers and how large they are. However depending on how the high populous state is governed, it also indicates of whether that state has a mass exodus.

Places like Florida that are high magnets of people are dealing with other challenges like traffic congestion, improper urban planning, sprawl and frustrated locals over migrants of other states overwhelming their communities; especially since Florida cities tend to grow outward.

[Greg S]

When I look at this 2024 estimate, I notice that South Dakota no longer has the upper hand as before. With some college graduates moving in, on the previous "Brain Drain stat", but this time around South Dakota is losing a lot of people.

If one looks at this map, Nebraska is average; it could be better. Look at Oklahoma (on top of the brain drain status, Oklahoma is on the top 10 worst states 2024 U.S News), Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota; they are doing much worse. This is a regional problem.

I think people have to realize that usually the populous states will often absorb more people due to the amount of population centers and how large they are. However depending on how the high populous state is governed, it also indicates of whether that state has a mass exodus.

Places like Florida that are high magnets of people are dealing with other challenges like traffic congestion, improper urban planning, sprawl and frustrated locals over migrants of other states overwhelming their communities; especially since Florida cities tend to grow outward.

On these, who are the people they are counting? So for example my oldest son. Graduated in Omaha from high school at Central. He's going to college at the University of Kansas. Say for example he graduates and moves to Chicago. Would that count against Nebraska (where he went to high school and his permanent residence) or Kansas, where he got his degree?

Greg

[Garrett]

When I look at this 2024 estimate, I notice that South Dakota no longer has the upper hand as before. With some college graduates moving in, on the previous "Brain Drain stat", but this time around South Dakota is losing a lot of people.

If one looks at this map, Nebraska is average; it could be better. Look at Oklahoma (on top of the brain drain status, Oklahoma is on the top 10 worst states 2024 U.S News), Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota; they are doing much worse. This is a regional problem.

I think people have to realize that usually the populous states will often absorb more people due to the amount of population centers and how large they are. However depending on how the high populous state is governed, it also indicates of whether that state has a mass exodus.

Places like Florida that are high magnets of people are dealing with other challenges like traffic congestion, improper urban planning, sprawl and frustrated locals over migrants of other states overwhelming their communities; especially since Florida cities tend to grow outward.

On these, who are the people they are counting? So for example my oldest son. Graduated in Omaha from high school at Central. He's going to college at the University of Kansas. Say for example he graduates and moves to Chicago. Would that count against Nebraska (where he went to high school and his permanent residence) or Kansas, where he got his degree?

Greg

Depends on where he counts as his residency, but usually stats like this count where you attend college. There was a similar chart that showed Omaha basically flat with college graduates but Des Moines having a huge net in migration, but we discussed how Omaha has several large universities while Des Moines has one midsized a couple small schools.

[ricko]

I think the ‘remote work’ movement might be missing from the equation. Young educated types move for a variety of reasons, and in my experience they have a lot less to lose. When I was 25, I could fit all of my worldly possessions in the trunk of my Corolla. Move across the country to city with more amenities? Hey, why not? You don’t have a family (or those pesky extended family obligations)to think about. There is something to be said for living life on your own terms, especially if you don’t fit your family’s pre-conceived notions about how you should live your life.

Regarding the charts above, I’m glad Nebraska is able to minimize the brain drain relative to some of its neighbors (what’s up with Iowa?). Regarding Florida, I think it won’t be long before the bloom is off the rose. I remember a conversation I had with a co-worker from Slovakia who was contemplating a move to coastal Florida 6 years ago. I told him that owning property on or near the ocean wasn’t the best idea because I predicted that property insurance companies might bail of it becomes too costly. I guess I was right. Who wants to own coastal property in that disastrous environment? Climate change will force people to move.

[nativeomahan]

People relocate for so many differing reasons. Many (actually most) of my friends here in Omaha up and left Nebraska after completing their college education,. Some left to attend college then stayed away. Some felt their talents or lifestyles could flourish better in a larger city. I flirted with moving but ultimately chose to stay, probably because I found a decent job here while still in college, and it worked out very well for me. Plus my family was basically here.
Later in life when people presumably have roots well established in a given location it’s more complicated to up and move. I suspect most do so to pursue better career opportunities. Even later on as people start thinking of retirement their priorities change. Most everyone I know hates winter and scraping ice and shoveling snow. Older people often feel they’ve “put in their time” dealing with cold weather and happily trade scarves and mittens for 300 days of sunshine a year, even if 100 of those days are oppressively hot. At least one acquaintance died here while shoveling snow, and several others fell and broke bones due to the ice. Southern states tend to have lower taxes, which can be another important consideration. I can personally relate to all of this. While I still maintain a home in Omaha I spend most of the colder months 3+ hours (by plane) to the south. Taxes are MUCH lower there (you don’t want to know how much less), and we appreciate being able to eat meals outdoors virtually 365 days a year. No matter where any of us choose to live there are trade offs.

[ricko]

I’m in the same boat as far as retirement goes. Still working part time although I can retire anytime. The thought of going from 100 miles an hour to zero is a bit daunting. I’m lucky enough to have found a sweet spot, climate wise. We still have 4 seasons, but our average January temperature is 37* (I guess this Winter it was 43*); very mild compared to farther north. We got a 5” storm this year. Last year virtually no snow. I’ve never seen a snowblower here. I own gloves but almost never wear them, and I haven’t owned boots in 40 years. Fall and Spring are amazing. Summer is humid, but rarely gets over 90*. Virtually no violent weather outside of the tail end of hurricanes. Mountains to the west, beaches to the east. When real retirement happens, I plan to spend the warm months in Nebraska, and the cold in Virginia.

[nativeomahan]

I’m in the same boat as far as retirement goes. Still working part time although I can retire anytime. The thought of going from 100 miles an hour to zero is a bit daunting. I’m lucky enough to have found a sweet spot, climate wise. We still have 4 seasons, but our average January temperature is 37* (I guess this Winter it was 43*); very mild compared to farther north. We got a 5” storm this year. Last year virtually no snow. I’ve never seen a snowblower here. I own gloves but almost never wear them, and I haven’t owned boots in 40 years. Fall and Spring are amazing. Summer is humid, but rarely gets over 90*. Virtually no violent weather outside of the tail end of hurricanes. Mountains to the west, beaches to the east. When real retirement happens, I plan to spend the warm months in Nebraska, and the cold in Virginia.

My ex lived in Alexandria, and I spent many weeks there back in the 1990s. Plus I have family and friends in the DC area. I remember frequent 60 degree days even in January.
Certainly there is no Brain Drain in the Mid Atlantic region.

[Renovator2559]

Regarding Florida, I think it won’t be long before the bloom is off the rose. I remember a conversation I had with a co-worker from Slovakia who was contemplating a move to coastal Florida 6 years ago. I told him that owning property on or near the ocean wasn’t the best idea because I predicted that property insurance companies might bail of it becomes too costly. I guess I was right. Who wants to own coastal property in that disastrous environment? Climate change will force people to move.

Its getting more common that you see Florida citizens saying in multimedia platforms, that they are full and do not want more people to move in. Even on those channels that promote Florida.

Imagine living in a state like Florida in which tourists get first class treatment on the few 3 months or so months of nice weather, for the rest of the 9 months tourists leave but locals are left with hot muggy weather. Not every part of Florida is like this but typically most of Florida is like this.

Also, let us not forget that tornadoes have ravaged Florida too in 2024 and that doesn't even take into account hurricane season too.

Many moved in from other states without thinking deeply. Now a lot of them are in seas of sprawl and traffic congestion.

And all the factors that brought them to Florida are increasingly hard to see.

[Uffda]

It’s getting more common that you see Florida citizens saying in multimedia platforms, that they are full and do not want more people to move in. Even on those channels that promote Florida.

Imagine living in a state like Florida in which tourists get first class treatment on the few 3 months or so months of nice weather, for the rest of the 9 months tourists leave but locals are left with hot muggy weather. Not every part of Florida is like this but typically most of Florida is like this.

Also, let us not forget that tornadoes have ravaged Florida too in 2024 and that doesn't even take into account hurricane season too.

Many moved in from other states without thinking deeply. Now a lot of them are in seas of sprawl and traffic congestion.

And all the factors that brought them to Florida are increasingly hard to see.

I can I could speak on this as I moved to Florida-north of Tampa - 5 yrs ago.
I think Floridians don’t like anyone moving here - they have been getting on snowbirds for years.

The Tampa area has had big population growth and with it has come huge rent increases and explosion of building apts complexes and subdivisions up where I live in Pasco county.

Last summer, my home insurance company decided to nonrenew my policy — I had never made a claim in the 4 yrs. I did get another company but waiting to make it through the year without an increase. My insurance went from $850 five years ago to $1600 now - but I know some that are double or triple that. Oh and I live about 25 miles inland so no gulf flooding in my area.

I have read how people came from more expensive states to Florida and then the ‘raise in living prices’

As to the weather, it recently hit 90s reg and humidity is here. That will stay probably thru Sept but the other 7 months are kind of nice.