In what is sure to be one of the biggest real estate deals of the year, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly relocating to Florida, becoming just the latest California billionaire to flee the Golden State for the Sunshine State following a proposed five-percent wealth tax. But the uber-rich aren’t the only ones relocating for more favorable conservative policies – millions of everyday people are as well.
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau and moving company U-Haul shows that Americans are “voting with their feet” at a rapid clip – and the results are ugly for Democrats. Of the top 10 states for net positive domestic migration, seven are run by a Republican governor and legislature. Of the other three states, one has a Republican governor, but Democrat legislature (Nevada), and two have a Democrat governor but a Republican legislature (North Carolina and Arizona).
Perhaps even more importantly, of those top 10 states, four have no state income tax, while all are considered low-tax states.
Meanwhile, of the worst ten states for net negative domestic migration, nine out of ten are Democrat strongholds. The three worst are the three states most associated with far-left governance – California, New York, and Illinois. Unsurprisingly, these states are also associated with enormously high state tax burdens.
As reported by National Review, of the 22 states with the fastest-growing populations, 17 are solidly red, suggesting again that voters prefer Republican governance. Meanwhile, “the five states that lost population were mostly deep blue — Vermont, Hawaii, West Virginia, New Mexico, and California, with New York just barely breaking even.”
The Census data is backed up by similar results from moving company U-Haul, which tracks the use of one-way rentals as a proxy for someone switching states.
The U-Haul Growth Index found Texas is the fastest-growing state, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. “Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee follow Texas as prime destinations,” the report stated. “It’s the same top five from 2024 and 2023, although in a different order.”
That consistency suggests that Americans are looking for the stability provided by a growing economy and low taxes – hallmarks of Republican governance. Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Alabama, and Georgia rounded out the U-Haul top 10.
On the other end of the spectrum, California ranked last “with the greatest out-migration number for the sixth consecutive year,” followed by Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. New Jersey is an anomaly in that it saw new growth but also saw people leaving the state with one-way rentals.
It is not a perfect one-for-one match to say only Republican states are thriving while only Democrat states are dying, but it is fairly close, according to commentator Dan McLaughlin.
“Not every red or blue state pursues the same mix of policies, has the same weather or demographics, or relies upon the same mix of industries,” McLaughlin wrote in National Review about the U-Haul data. “Still, the overall pattern remains clear and consistent, and has for some time.”
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) argues the burdensome taxes in blue states are driving residents away while low-tax states, mostly controlled by Republicans, are drawing in residents.
“The U-Haul annual report lets everyone see which states are failing and which are succeeding as judged by actual Americans,” ATR President Grover Norquist said.
The taxpayer advocacy group also pointed out that right-to-work states, meaning places where workers are not forced to join a union as a condition of employment, also experienced higher rates of growth. In other words, low taxes and worker freedom are attracting citizens, likely because of the economic benefits those policies create.
The growth in these states could also have broader national implications for future national elections. Seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned every ten years based on the population of each state. In turn, Electoral College votes are divided up based on how many senators and representatives a state has.
That spells trouble for Democrats in the long-term and could help Republicans if red states continue to grow – and don’t see the political demographics change. States that voted for Trump in the last election are projected to gain 11 more U.S. House seats, and by extension 11 more Electoral College votes after 2030, according to the American Redistricting Project.
Solidly Democrat states like California and Illinois, meanwhile, would lose U.S. House seats as well as Electoral College votes. Those losses in Democrat states could “turn a 270–268 Democratic map into a 279–259 Republican map,” McLaughlin writes.
Of course, nothing is certain, and it is possible a Democrat candidate could win a state like Florida or Texas in the future if people fleeing California bring their voting preferences with them. However, one thing is clear – Americans want to live in places with low taxes and fewer regulations, and they are willing to uproot their lives to do so.
The Founding Fathers envisioned the states as “laboratories of democracy.” In that grand experiment, it is becoming clearer with each passing year that Democrats are failing.
Matt Lamb is an AMAC Newsline contributor and an associate editor for The College Fix. He previously worked for Students for Life of America, Students for Life Action, and Turning Point USA. He previously interned for Open the Books. His writing has also appeared in the Washington Examiner, The Federalist, LifeSiteNews, Human Life Review, Headline USA, and other outlets. The opinions expressed are his own. Follow him @mattlamb22 on X.
Understand people leaving Democrat states that have high taxes and other ridiculous laws and going to better states. The real problem is that those individuals bring their Democrat ideals with them and continue to vote for Democrat policies in their new states thereby increasing bad laws being passed in their new states and undermining conservative principles. Change your ideals and principles for your good.
Biggest issue with this – blue libs moving to red states and taking their blue ideology and votes with them.
All is well and fine as long as those moving from the blue states aren’t bringing their blue states politics along with them. There is a sign in our little Florida town that says “New Yorkers Vote Republican Or Go Home!”. So far our county (Polk w/Sheriff Grady Judd) is mostly Red and we prefer to keep it that way too.
I do not understand how anyone got identify with a party that is against making America great. That is just beyond my comprehension. If they hate this country that much why don’t they leave, instead of trying to destroy it. I can’t even begin to understand it. And they campaign on that that we do not want to make America great vote for me, seriously? I’d rather have an unsedated colonoscopy then vote for a Democrat, although there may not be a difference
FYI, West Virginia turned red after Obama started his war on coal. Is solid red now.
I am in total AGREEMENT!
LEAVE YOUR RADICAL DEMOCRATIC IDEAS BACK IN THE STATE YOU FLEAD FROM.
ADOPT THE POLICIES OF THE CONSERVATIVE STATE THAT YOU RELOCATED TO.
YOU WILL BE ALOT HAPPIER!
A friend that drives a big rig cross country told me that all his recent driving has been moving whole businesses from Ca. to Fl.
The BRAINDEAD DemoRATS and their IGNORANTLY ARROGANT DUMBA$$ supporters will NEVER GET IT OR EVER UNDERSTAND WHY RED STATES ARE THRIVING.
The DemoRATS and their supporters are incapable of connecting the dots of what it takes to enjoy liberty, freedom, growing wealth, security and the mega benefits of a SMALL, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.
WISE UP, STOP BEING A LOSER, AND BECOME RED.
Democracy is failing the democrats. They sow anarchy among the people. The masses have to fight the millionaires while their progressive leadership profits from the bribes these billionaires and millionaires bestow upon them. Do as I say not as I do is their motto among the democrat leadership. They propose things to make government the one that provides you a living. Take the incentive away by not creating jobs. People are and never should feel that the government has to pay for their existence. But the democrats with their DEI programs and CRT teachings in school, Communist doctrines taught at the universities. They have turned the world upside down. Goodness they have turned into evil and love and kindness is worshipping Satan. Religion is frowned upon. Jews are persecuted, the White Race has to be eliminated. The only good white citizen is a dead one. Law enforcement they don’t want. They want to kill pillage and maim and take away everything other people own. In Italy they had riots about the Winter Olympics. That it was a rich man spectacle and the common man should not have to pay for the cost of putting on the games. With that kind of reasoning I would like to poll the athletes to see how many trained for years came from a rich family. This is not the sport of Kings. Look at the Super Bowl. Tickets were a 1,000 dollar plus. Half time show was a disaster. The commercials cost is through the roof which all of us will pay for when we buy their products. Nothing is ever fair in the world. But a government that is fixing the economy which the democrats destroyed they oppose. Why? Creating more jobs and making opportunities for people to buy a home. Lower tuition costs at Universities. The Ivy League universities with their cash paying foreign students should not be getting government subsidies. These universities are teaching communism and anti American and Jewish sentiments. They are dividing this country, no tax money should be allowed to pay for that. We are being destroyed from within and are paying for it as well. The politicized courts hold de progressive democrat line. Trump cannot stop the subsidies at these elite schools. That would be discrimination. Really now. Aren’t they the enemy from within. The democrat party with their support of these schools are thereby supporting this enemy and are also the anti American establishment. They have been at it for almost 20 years it’s time they were reigned in. We need to be able to worship freely. Live in safe cities and towns where law and order prevails. Carry a gun or own a gun if found to be legally able to do so. Serve our military if one so chooses. Not pander to the Rainbow groups or the pro abortion groups or the anti deportation groups. They only want to bring anarchy into this country. The minority wants to dictate to the majority how to think how to act and how to live. If that ever happens we live under a dictatorship. Which I would think the majority of Americans including the above mentioned groups would soon find oppressive. Only by then it is too late. The communist leaders with their billionaires will run your life for decades to come.
One of the greatest ironies of liberals and Marxists, who flee to more conservative states, is that often these same movers complain and even try to destroy the traditional values that are found in the more conservative states. There is no limit to the rabid hypocrisy that is exhibited by many progressives and communists. Many of these misfits are obsessed with destroying the values that made America the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”
I’m sure others have already said this, but the problem is when liberals move they’re too stupid to understand that they are the problem in the state they just left by the way they vote. So they will continue to vote the same way they did before and then not understand why everything turns to crap because with their toxic empathy and arrogant narcissism they won’t be able to understand how they’re screwing it up again.
I have lived in Communist states and relative free states. I always moved to states where I what I got a better job. I finally moved to Idaho for freedom. Then found a good job and not good job. Biggest problem with Idaho? I did not move here 41 years sooner. Been in Idaho since 2005. I am now retired. I plan on being here until I croak. (After I croak also). This is my 2 cents worth.
Seniors on SS, Pittsburg, Tx is a small historical community with lots of potential! Great Weather too!!!
Please people have been leaving democrat states for years now only to bring their liberal ideology with them. Zuckerberg is only interested in his money, and we don’t know his or any of the other people that are leaving real intentions. I will never trust a democrat fleeing a liberal state until I know for sure their reason for leaving and how they are going to vote. Don’t jump the gun as the old saying goes.
Many of these voters seem unaware that their own voting choices may have contributed to the high-tax environment they now criticize. For example, Californians had the opportunity to remove Governor Newsom through a recall election, yet a majority chose to keep him in office. If people decide to relocate because they are dissatisfied with policies, it would be wise for them to reflect on how their voting decisions influence those outcomes. Otherwise, they risk encountering similar challenges in their new communities while also ruining our lives as well.
I recently heard that there is now more than a majority (75% or more) supporting abolishment of the electoral college. If that were to happen, so that the majority winner of all votes cast would win, then east and west Coast cities/major population centers Chicago, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston̈, etc. (blue strongholds)would always win over the rest of us. That is a move we must prevent from ever happening.
I saw a story today on 700 Club that “moderate” Spanberger and her DIMM legislature are proposing 48 new TAXES on Virginians! If “moderates” do that, what do communists do?
I own land and live in CO, where the Republican Party is divided and deep in debt. I see no hope for this blue state turning red or even purple. I’d leave, but I’m tired of moving, and the red states will eventually flip with all the folks migrating from liberal states and taking their liberal ideologies with them. So, I’m staying and protecting my Second Amendment rights, even as the liberal idiots in Denver keep passing legislation that aims to flush my 2A rights down the toilet. Ammo up and KEEP PRAYING!!!
Problem is those leaving blue states will bring their politics to red states and will eventually turn them blue too.
Don’t celebrate this!! Yes, people often “vote with their feet,” and leave high cost areas. BUT, they also continue to vote the way they previously did, and is so doing contaminate their new state. For example, the California migration of 400K voters into Arizona cost Republicans the presidential, gubernatorial, and senate seats in 2020. Those voters fail to either understand or accept that their poor voting choices is what made their prior state of residence unaffordable. Eventually, their vote patterns recreate the same unaffordable conditions in their new state.
Ergo, don’t welcome their departure from blue states. It just spreads the infection!
The problem is those idiots escaping the high taxes of rhetoric blue states bring their liberal voting practices with them and will vote that way in all upcoming elections. So before long there will no longer be any Red States what an absolute Shame that is.
I just hope that these movers to red states, be sure to vote correctly. Else you might need to find yourself moving again.
I hope they don’t bring their voting practices with them. If they continue to vote democrat, their liberal ways will slowly change their new state, to liberal insanity.
As other folks here have said, the “Locusts” leave their crummy states, states they themselves screwed up, and then ‘Calififornacate’ the states which are unlucky enough to receive them. Thanks, Dumba$$ocrat$…..
I was going to make a post, but the comments clearly reflected my thoughts. What I am doing is copying the address of this article and posting it on Face Book for the libs I know. One never knows what info might change someone’s mind about how they vote.
We live in Illinois and are in our middle eighties.The chitcago democRATS control this state,totally.Downstate Illinois is mostly normal with a few renegade areas,but downstate can’t beat the northeast Illinois area in numbers.The powers that be,the idiots in charge,couldn’t care less about the real citizens of this state,especially seniors.Our only hope is to boot the democRATS out.I hope that people here find enough common sense to vote the libers out and bring Illinois back from the brink.
I find it funny that little marky zuckerberg is running away from California. If I were Florida, I’d slam that door shut and send him back to California to fix the mess he helped create. Slimy creep!!!
How will all the bleeding heart mayors pay for all their grandiose ideas if those meant to pay for them leave the socialist paradise, have they not thought of that, will be interesting to see how they solve that one. Tax the middle class I guess, if this is not a lesson learned too late , I don’t know what is.
I’m just the opposite, I’m moving from Nevada to California. Not because I want to, I left CA 16 years ago and never looked back. All my family still live in California and because of my health they want me closer to them. I tried to get them to move to Nevada but they are all established! It’s ok, I’ll die before California taxes me to death!
“Of course, nothing is certain, and it is possible a Democrat candidate could win a state like Florida or Texas in the future if people fleeing California bring their voting preferences with them.” IF is a huge word for just 2 letters. If anyone believes that these folks will change their personal politics because of their new location, Then I am actually the King of England!
if all these people moving from blue states, they should not be able to vote as democrats. The red states are red for very good reason.
Beware of the socialist state of Washington. … now considering a millionaires’ tax … a precursor to a State income tax… the D’s have wanted this for yeast it’s been determined to be unconstitutional 2x … the D’s don’t care ..so they are going for it this session
Good! We moved to Tennessee from PA. five years ago to get away from Blue sewer syndrome, Wish I would have moved years ago!
Don’t bring any democrat voting to Florida. Florida is what it is because it is a RED state.
This is exactly why the Democrats have their extremist attacking ICE. Their open border strategy was to replace the minority voters that have been leaving in large numbers and to keep their power in the next census. Additionally every Marxist movement in history became violent, eventually to the point of revolution when the lose at the ballot box. We’re experiencing the beginning of that now.
Just curious, but have all Democrats had lobotomies so that they are unable to think?
Have kin in TX & GA both moved due to job offers alone from CA
Unless we destroy the virus, the sickness will overtake the US. Tribalism – groups that move into the US with the goal to make the US like their country, not ours, with no desire to assimilate – that’s our biggest threat. Islam poses a huge threat as we can see from NYC, where the mayor got sworn in on a Koran and cites Islamic precepts (Sharia). We can clearly see in the EU and the UK, Islamization as a very real threat as the nature of Islam is to conquer the globe, vanquish, conscribe and implement Sharia. If you don’t comply, you’re dead or relegated to no-rights Dhimmi status. I’m more concerned about Islam than Marxism as Islam doesn’t reject capitalism but is more oligarchical in its approach. Marxism wants a proven-fatal concept – communism – which historically has never worked and has killed millions. So has Islam, but for a different purpose. The US has a history of rejecting Islam in the early 20th century, but now with our brain-dead kids being trained as activists in school and NOT learning history, we’re on the path to repeating it. Bleak? Yes. Unless we do something about it, our grandkids (or sooner) will see the end of the US. If our electorate can’t even assure safe voting, what do you think will happen?
For all you DEMOCRATS/SOCIALISTS fleeing the trashed BLUE STATES, complete with the crappy laws and worthless politicians YOU VOTED FOR and moving to our RED STATES: LEAVE YOUR LOUSY POLITICAL DECISIONS BEHIND YOU! YOU created the Hellhole you just left with your voting over the years. Not only must you seek another place to live now, you MUST change your screwed up thinking and bad voting or you bring “The Blue Plague” with you! We do not want you here if that is your intention.
As a Texan, we welcome newcomers but ask they leave their voting record behind. It has been my experience that many do not.
I only hope that these people who are fleeing high taxed blue states don’t ever forget why they left, only to turn these red states blue. I live in what used to be a red state which is now purple and turning left because of an influx of people from neighboring blue states. Be careful what you perceive to be good news… billionaires like Zuckerberg and friends are not conservative. Just sayin.
West Virginia is very red. Republican Governor and supermajority Republican legislature. All 55 counties voted for Trump. We were blue for over 80 years, but we wised up and in 2014 we started turning red. Yes we are losing population.
This is a lie about North Carolina!!! My daughter did her income tax and because our state voted in a democrat Governor, she is going to have to pay federal taxes as well as state taxes!!!!! North Carolina is not safe from tax increases!!! Our democrats who are in charge are killing us in taxes!!!!
There is a mythical misconception that those fleeing the Blue States will vote that way in their new Red home. Those willing to uproot their lives and start over are a self reliant breed and more conservative than the ‘home grown’ “good ole boys” who vote in Democrats mascarading as common sense ‘”moderates.”‘ Liberals need urban amenities administered by a nanny state to survive and are appalled at the culture shock in MAGA country.
I live in Arizona. The people moving here from places like California, Illinois, and New Jersey are fleeing the wreckage of the states that they destroyed, and bringing their dumb*** liberal ideas with them. Hence a democrat governor and two democrat senators. There is no fixing stupid.
My socialist/democrat controlled state just increased my property taxes $500 for the new year. Nice gift, in addition to their woke ideals and individual rights taken away by fiat. Then they lie and say some new taxes are just new “fees”. The socialist/democrats are losers and so are the folks that vote for them. Unfortunately there are too many in this state that control the rest of us. As people move out, the tax base will decrease putting the burden on the rest of us. Shameful.
The sad thing is that most of those fleeing high tax states will continue to vote for the same kind of people in their new state as they did in the state they fled. Then it will turn their new residence into the same kind of overtaxed state they fled. Just like Muslims. Many fled from the s**tholes they lived in and are trying to turn the places in America where they now into the conditions they fled. Then they want all of America to be a third world s**thole.
We are actually leaving Arizona because it is becoming too liberal. California liberal agenda is spilling over into what was the great state of Arizona.
The problem with people moving is that they bring their liberal ideas with them and vote for the same failed policies in their new state, destroying it. If you want to live in a state with conservative values because it is successful, then check your liberal ideals at the border and start supporting the republican party!
STOP leaving the blue states IF you are a true Republican. Stay and fight for our country and vote to get the Dimmies out of office.
Most people seem to be commenting that democrats are leaving blue states to go to red and change them. However, I’m going to guess that it’s right leaning people fleeing blue states. But here is the conundrum…if right leaning people leave the blue states, we will never be able to turn the blue to red. We need to have an influx of Republicans flooding the blue states to turn them red. Trust me, I know it’s hard because I live in Virginia, which recently turned blue. We were doing well under Youngkin, we even had a surplus in funds; but now we are dealing with the democratic dementia group of Sandburger that is already raising our taxes, even after we had a great savings under Youngkin. Sanburger will destroy this state, if we allow her to continue with her left wing agenda. Republicans need to stand strong and fight this crazy lunatic.