Survey Says 1 in 5 Americans Have Moved or Know Someone Who Did Since the Pandemic Began

Since the outset of the pandemic, predictions about waves of Americans moving, whether due to necessity or choice, have been rampant. Now, survey results reveal the first indications of how true those predictions turned out to be.

1 minute read

July 7, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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"Overall, around one-in-five U.S. adults (22%) say they either changed their residence due to the pandemic or know someone who did, according to a new Pew Research Center survey."

D'Vera Cohen shares insight into the findings of the new survey, including the additional details that reveal the demographic nuances of the survey findings. 

The age group most likely to have had at least one of these things happen to them are the nation’s young adults: Overall, 37% of those ages 18 to 29 say they moved, someone moved into their home or they know someone who moved because of the outbreak. By race and ethnicity, 28% of Hispanics have had one of these experiences, compared with 20% of white adults, 19% of Black adults and 24% of Asian Americans.

Educational attainment and income are also linked to the likelihood of moving during the pandemic, according to the survey.


Monday, July 6, 2020 in Pew Research Center

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