Transportation & Infrastructure

Midwest Migration

Generations of people came to the Midwest in hopes of finding a better life. But economic opportunity has been harder to find since the recession began, and people have left the region in record numbers in search of jobs or a better housing market. Changing Gears “Midwest Migration” project is collecting photos, stories, and voicemail messages from former Midwesterners – people who have left region since the recession of 2008.We’re mapping where people ended up, and we're sharing their stories about why they left and whether life is better for them now.We’ll also hear whether they plan to return to the Midwest.You can share your Midwest migration story here, and see responses on our Midwest Migration tumblr page.The Midwest Migration will run through mid-February 2012.

Migration out of Michigan halts, moving data shows

Michigan Public | By Associated Press

Published December 25, 2013 at 6:16 PM EST

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A new study by the nation's largest moving company indicates that migration out of Michigan has finally slowed to a virtual halt.

Suburban St. Louis-based United Van Lines released its 37th annual migration study to The Associated Press. The company tracks the states its customers move to and from over the course of a year. It includes Washington, D.C., but excludes Alaska and Hawaii.

For 2013, Oregon was the top moving destination with 63 percent of interstate moves inbound. New Jersey repeated as the state with the highest percentage of outbound moves, at 63 percent.

Michigan was about evenly balanced between inbound and outbound moves. The state had 16 years of outbound migration and was tops in outbound moves from 2006 through 2009.