U.S. Census Bureau

Geographical Mobility/Migration

There are four (unrelated) sources of migration data on our Internet site:

Fact Sheet:  Differences between the Migration Estimates from the American Community Survey
                       and the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey

The Current Population Survey

The Current Population Survey (CPS) includes data on the annual rate of moving, and the characteristics of movers and nonmovers by type of move.

Definitions and Explanations

Historical data from the CPS are here:

Survey of Income and Program Participation

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) includes a Migration History module that asks data on previous residences, timing of moves, and citizenship of the foreign born.

Population Estimates and Projections

Our population estimates and projections offerings show net domestic migration and net international migration components. The net international component shown in these data sets is comprised of:

  1. legal immigration from abroad
  2. net undocumented immigration from abroad
  3. emigration
  4. net movement between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland

1990 Census

Some 1990 census state data are here:

You can get more geographic detail from the 1990 census, from Summary Tape File 3 (STF3). See Tables P42, P43, and P44 which display place of birth, and residence 5 years ago. Use our American FactFinder.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division,
Journey-To-Work & Migration Statistics Branch
Questions? / 1-866-758-1060
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