California Experienced the Largest Influx of Migrants in 2023 🛬

What We're Showing

This visualization shows the migration flows of those who lived in a foreign country one year ago and now reside in a U.S. state or Puerto Rico in 2023, with the top 20 states' with the most total new residents from foreign countries highlighted at the bottom.

State-by-state migration flow data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is updated as of August 2024.

Methodology

The Census Bureau's American Community Survey collects data on whether respondents aged one year and older lived in the same residence one year ago. For individuals who lived in a different residence, the location of their previous residence is collected, including foreign countries, Puerto Rico, and U.S. island territories.

The figures in this visualization includes immigrants (those moving to a country with the intention of permanently settling there) and migrants (general term for someone who moves away from their place of usual residence). The survey does not capture the intention of the people who moved.

For example, a California resident who lived in France in 2022, and moved back to California in 2023 would be captured in this visualization.

Larger States See Higher Migration Inflow

The top four states with the most new residents who previously lived in foreign countries–California, Florida, Texas, and New York–are home to some of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the U.S.

These major cities often act as hubs for migrants due to job opportunities and established immigrant communities.