New York

New York is a diverse and vibrant city. Each year, the city attracts people from all around the world for various reasons.

Migration patterns in New York have been the subject of study for many years. People come to New York in the hope of a better life or a desired job. At the same time, many New Yorkers shift to other areas for various reasons. 

In this analysis, we will explore the reasons why people move to and from New York. We will try to highlight the areas people come from and go to. Plus, it would be unbiased not to discuss the impact of these migration patterns.

Let’s jump in…  

Insights on People Moving to New York

Of course, New York is a dynamic and fast-paced city with plenty of opportunities. Although New York is the home of many businesses and industries, it offers a wide range of entertainment options and a diverse food scene. All these make New York very attractive for living in.

According to the United States Census Bureau, New York is the largest city in the country. Around 8.5 million people currently reside in this city. On top of that, the city attracts visitors and immigrants for work. It is a great place to build a promising career in any profession.

In order to escape persecution and improve their economic outlook, immigrants always come to New York. The following chart, analyzed by the NYC Comptroller’s Office, demonstrates the number of residents who came to New York from 2018 to 2021.  

Insights on People

There are tons of reasons why people come here. Some mentionable reasons are,

  • Career: Like we said earlier, New York is a great place to build a career. The most skilled people come here to find work. So, the job market in New York is very demanding as well as competitive. 
  • Education: New York is also a popular destination for students since there are some of the best universities and colleges here. 
  • Culture: New York is a cultural capital. There are many world-class museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues in this city. 
  • Quality of Life: A promising career can improve the quality of life. Apart from getting a top-notch job, people can also enjoy excellent healthcare, public transportation, and a thriving culture. 
  • Diversity: Life in New York is diverse. There are individuals from every corner of the world living and working here.   

According to a market analysis from Redfin, people from outside metros choose New York to live in. From that analysis, most people in New York come from the Buffalo metropolitan area. Among domestic migrants, the largest number of people in New York are from San Francisco and Springfield, after Buffalo. 

Here is a graphical overview,

graphical overview

With that said, around 1199 people had moved to Hawthorne from Buffalo as of April 2023. And a total of 3% of homebuyers across the country consider living here. This is an excellent place to live for those who want to stay close to New York City since it is only 30 miles north. Also, home prices in Hawthorne are pretty affordable (typically from $400,000 to $900,000).  

Like Hawthorne, people frequently shift to New York from San Francisco, Springfield, Lincoln, Kalamazoo, and so on. From February to April, around 509 people shifted from San Francisco to New York. 

The Department of City Planning in New York stated that about 40% of people living here are foreigners. Among these foreigners, nearly 70% come from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. The largest group of foreign residents is from the Dominican Republic, China, and Mexico.      

Insights on People Moving from New York

As people come to New York, many also leave. You will be surprised to know that New York is dealing with a net loss of population since more people move out than move in. Insights from the United States Census Bureau show that New York lost almost 126,000 residents in 2020.

The fast-paced and stressful lifestyle of New York may not be preferred by many people. Besides, there are some other reasons why people choose to move from New York. Some of the major reasons are,

  • Living Cost: One of the most expensive cities on earth is New York. The cost of food, rent, and transportation is higher than in other areas. It is difficult for some people to afford this high cost.
  • Crime Rate: The high crime rate is the reason why almost one-third of residents want to move out of New York. According to research from Siena College, 27% of people are fed up with the crime rate and want to shift somewhere else in the next 5 years.  
  • Relaxed Lifestyle: To escape from the stressful and competitive city life, some people move to other areas. They look for places where housing is more affordable, crime rates are lower, and schools are better.
  • Job Opportunity: Although New York offers prestigious jobs in any sector, the competition is high. In addition, there may not be better opportunities in specific fields. That is why people may move out of New York.
  • Family Reasons: For some people, it is important to stay close to the family. This can be a reason for shifting from New York to other places. With that said, almost 40% of residents refused to raise their children in New York.       

Here is an overview of the survey conducted by the New York Post

survey conducted

The Redfin market analysis does show that almost 72% of residents of New York want to stay within the metropolitan area. Still, there are many who migrate to Miami, Philadelphia, Houston, Orlando, and other places.

Let’s take a look at the graphical diagram to get an idea, 

graphical diagram

Data from the United States Census Bureau also revealed that the top destination for people leaving New York in 2020 was Florida. New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, come in second and third on the list. To clarify things a bit, here is the breakdown.

  • 20% of the total migrant moved to Florida from New York
  • 12% moved to New Jersey 
  • 10% moved to Pennsylvania

In March 2020, the major areas in New York, like Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, saw a significant residential move-out. Experts and researchers think the pandemic is the main reason for this. Since so many people had lost their jobs, they were unable to cope with the high cost of living.    

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the following chart to get a brief idea. It demonstrates the monthly residential movement from 2018 to 2021 in those areas of New York.

migration pattern

When we analyze the migration pattern in a particular area, we can understand the population trends and the impact of various life aspects in that area. The same goes for New York. People from all over the world come to New York and leave the city for the reasons that we have discussed above. After analyzing the migration patterns, policymakers and urban planners should come up with informed decisions to ensure continuous growth and prosperity for New York.  

The migration patterns in New York City have significantly transformed its demographics and cultural landscape. Over the years, diverse waves of migrants have shaped the city’s identity and contributed to its economic and social vitality. As New York continues to attract people from various backgrounds, it is crucial to address the challenges and opportunities associated with migration.

We hope you found this blog post on The Changing Face of New York: An Analysis of Migration Patterns useful. Be sure to check out our post on New Normal Things to Consider When Moving to Another Place for more great tips!


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