Regardless of Race and Ethnicity

South Attracts More People Than it Loses

    More non-Hispanic whites, blacks, Asians and Hispanics moved to the South between 1995 and 2000 than left that region for other parts of the country, according to a Census 2000 report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the other three regions registered a net domestic migration loss for some or all of these groups.

    The net migration gains for these groups in the South were concentrated in Atlantic coast states, according to the report, Migration by Race and Hispanic Origin: 1995 to 2000 [PDF].

    The Northeast, on the other hand, experienced a net loss in domestic migration for each of the four groups, though the specific flows varied by portions of the region. The New England states, which include states such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, had a net migration gain of Asians and Hispanics, but net losses of non-Hispanic whites and blacks. However, the population in the Northeast grew from 1995 to 2000 because arrivals from abroad — 488,000 non-Hispanic whites, 474,000 Hispanics, 336,000 Asians and 200,000 blacks — offset the region’s domestic net migration loss.

   While the Midwest experienced a net domestic migration gain of Hispanics from other regions, it had a net loss of non-Hispanic whites, blacks and Asians. The gain was concentrated in the western portion of the region — in states such as Minnesota, Kansas and Missouri — which accounted for 33,000 of the net gain of 56,000 Hispanics who moved to the Midwest.

    Among states, New York and California had the largest net losses for each of the four groups. However, the net losses for blacks in California and Illinois are not significantly different.

   All groups discussed in the report and this news release refer to people who indicated only one racial identity. The use of the single-race population in the report and release does not imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing the data.

    Key findings for each race and ethnic group follow:

• Non-Hispanic whites — This was the least mobile group as only 43 percent changed residences between 1995 and 2000; the South and the West had net domestic migration gains while the Midwest and the Northeast had net losses; Florida (450,000) had the largest net gain among states while Maricopa County (Phoenix), Ariz. (147,000), led counties.

• Blacks — African-Americans were more mobile than non-Hispanic whites as almost half (49 percent) changed residences during the five-year period; two blacks moved to the South for every one who left it for other regions. Each of the other regions experienced a net out-migration of blacks; Georgia had the largest net migration gain of any state, with 130,000; and St. Louis County, Mo., Baltimore County, Md., and Claymore County, Ga., had large net gains of around 31,000 each.

• Asians — More than half (54 percent) changed residences from 1995 to 2000; the South experienced a net increase while the Northeast and Midwest had net declines and the West saw similar numbers of those who came and those who went; Nevada had a large net numerical gain (18,000) from migration, not significantly different from Texas (15,000) and Georgia (14,000).

• Hispanics — This ethnic group was the most mobile of the four discussed here as 56 percent changed residence during the five-year period; the South and the Midwest recorded net gains while the West and the Northeast showed net losses; Florida recorded the largest net gain among states (92,000) while Clark County, Nev. (56,000), led all counties.

   The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as distinct concepts. Separate questions are asked on Hispanic origin and race. For further details, see U.S. Census Bureau Guidance on the Presentation and Comparison of Race and Hispanic-Origin Data (June 12, 2003).

    The tabulations in the report are based on responses from the sample of households that received the census long form, about 1-in-6 nationally. Estimates are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.

    Also released today was a related product, the Census 2000 Migration Data DVD, which consists of 121 ASCII text files, presenting mobility/migration data for various levels of geography and demographic, family or household characteristics. To order, call (301) 763-INFO, price is $70.

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