Thousands Fleeing California, North Carolina, Texas For New York

Nearly 130,000 people just moved to New York State, with the top states sending residents to the Empire State revealed.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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According to recent census data, nearly 20 million people currently live in New York State. Despite many moving out, more people moved into New York, with the state's population growing by over 129,900 people. The top states sending residents to New York include California, Florida, and Texas.

Why it matters

The migration patterns to and from New York State provide insights into economic and demographic shifts across the country, as people seek new opportunities, lower costs of living, or lifestyle changes. Understanding where New Yorkers are moving to and where new residents are coming from can inform policy decisions and business strategies.

The details

Over 30,000 people from California recently moved to New York State, making it one of the top states sending residents to the Empire State. Florida and Texas also crack the top 10 states sending people to New York, though neither is number 1. In 2024, approximately 121,000 people moved out of New York State, the lowest level of outmigration since 2013, even as the state's overall population grew.

  • In 2024, approximately 121,000 people moved out of New York State.
  • New York State's population grew by over 129,900 people in the past year.

The players

New York State

The state that has seen a net increase in population, with thousands of residents moving in from other states like California, Florida, and Texas.

California

One of the top states sending residents to New York, with over 30,000 people recently moving to the Empire State.

Florida

One of the top 10 states sending residents to New York.

Texas

One of the top 10 states sending residents to New York.

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What’s next

Analysts will continue to monitor migration patterns in and out of New York State to understand the underlying economic and demographic shifts driving these changes.

The takeaway

The influx of thousands of new residents from other states to New York highlights the state's continued appeal as a destination for people seeking new opportunities, despite the ongoing outmigration of some residents to other parts of the country.