Americans are leaving deep blue states in droves, taking with them a staggering amount of personal income. A new database shows that this migration trend has resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars moving from states controlled by Democrats to those led by Republicans. The database, called Vote With Your Feet, was launched by former Trump economic advisor Steve Moore and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. It tracks the movement of Americans from 2012 to 2022 using IRS data.
The data reveals that states like New York and California have suffered significant losses. New York alone lost over $111 billion in aggregated gross income (AGI), while California followed closely with a loss of just over $102 billion. Other states in the top five for income loss include Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, all of which have been under Democratic control for the past decade.
This outflow of income is accompanied by a decline in population. New York and California also saw the largest population decreases, losing approximately 1.8 million and 1.6 million residents, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, red states are thriving. Florida topped the list with an increase of $196 billion in AGI due to an influx of new residents. Texas came in second with a gain of $54 billion. Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina also saw significant increases in income, all while being governed by Republicans during the same period.
Florida not only led in income growth but also in population growth, gaining nearly 1.6 million new residents over the decade. North Carolina attracted 521,000 people, surpassing Arizona’s 483,000.
This shift in population and wealth highlights a growing trend of Americans choosing to relocate to states with different political climates and economic opportunities. As the data shows, the movement is not just about personal preference but also reflects the broader economic conditions in these states.
