Domestic Migration, Visualized

The New York Times recently visualized domestic migration and population makeup for each state in the United States from 1900 until today using Census data.

2 minute read

August 15, 2014, 8:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


For every state in the United States, population was divided by resident's state of birth. Foreign-born residents are also included to gain a better understanding of population makeup and migration within the United States. Here are some of the highlights of the 50 state feature:

While the least diverse state is Louisiana, with about 79 percent of today's residents born in-state, Colorado, the most diverse state, boasts only 42 percent of residents born in-state.

North Dakota's recent natural gas boom explained by the, "transplant population from 15 states increas[ing] by at least 1,000, while the North Dakota native population has actually shrunk."

Michigan illustrates how deindustrialization affects domestic migration. "Michigan used to have a significant population of people born in other Midwestern states and in places like Pennsylvania, Kentucky and North Carolina. With fewer high-paying factory jobs, fewer transplants have moved in from these states."

Considered one of the fastest-growing states on the East Coast, "As recently as 1980, 76 percent of [North Carolina] residents were natives, and the next-largest source of state residents was South Carolina. Today, there are twice as many North Carolina residents born in New York as were born in South Carolina."

California, once a dream land for Americans throughout the country, "today, the state is still pulling in foreign immigrants, but the percentage of American-born transplants has shrunk significantly as more people leave the state. There are now about 6.8 million California natives living elsewhere, up from 2.7 million in 1980."

Thursday, August 14, 2014 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today