There’s no doubt that Colorado’s population is growing. According to the Colorado Department of Public Affairs, the state’s population is expected to exceed 8 million by 2050, up from about 5 million in 2010. Driving down our major highways, with ever-decreasing open space, one wonders, “Where did all these people come from?”
I originally published this article in 2015 and back then California topped the list of states people were moving to Colorado from, so if you feel like a lot of newcomers are coming from California, you’re right. Texas came in second – folks – followed by Florida in third. I was surprised because I thought everyone was moving from the snow to the sun, but Florida residents were moving here. Illinois was fourth and Arizona rounded out the top five. Another move from the sun country to the snow country?
According to the latest data from United Van Lines, California remains the state with the most new arrivals in Colorado, accounting for 14.45% of new arrivals. Texas remains in second place with 11.08%, while Florida remains in third place with 4.83%. Surprisingly, Illinois remains in fourth place with 4.04% of moves. New to the top five is New York with 3.71%, while Arizona has dropped to sixth place with 3.21%.
Now let’s look at where people are heading when they leave Colorado. When I last reported on this in 2015, Texas was the most popular destination – I guess they traded in the skis for something else. California was the second most popular choice; it seems many are heading back to Beverly Hills – just like in that TV show! Arizona came in third place as where sun-seekers escape the snow, followed by Florida in fourth place. Wyoming rounded out the top five.
The latest data shows that Texas remains the most popular destination for people leaving Colorado, with 10.25% of departures going there. Florida is second with 8.77%, followed by California in third place with 8.35%. Warmer climates remain a popular choice, with Arizona in fourth place with 5.11%. New to the top five is Washington with 3.93% of departures.
There you have it! People are constantly moving in and out of Colorado, and it’s interesting to see that the top five states with the most in- and out-migration have remained fairly consistent over the years. To learn more about Colorado’s population trends, visit the Colorado State Demography Office website at: demography.dola.colorado.gov.
Duane graduated from the University of Colorado in 1978 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in real estate. He was a real estate agent® in Boulder since that time. He joined RE/MAX of Boulder in 1982 and has handled over 2,500 transactions throughout his career. Life as a real estate agent and his immersion in the real estate industry led to the creation of his book, “Realtor for Life.” For questions, email [email protected], call 303.441.5611 or visit boulderco.com.
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