Every day, people from across the U.S. decide to leave their current state of residence and move to Colorado. However, between 2021 and 2022, net migration for Colorado came out in the red. That means fewer taxpayers and fewer workers for Colorado businesses.

In total, Colorado lost 9,324 residents to migration alone, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey, which was released this fall. The state's in-migration total was 229,876 — its out-migration total was 239,200.

The fall in net migration represents a small reversal in Colorado’s net migration numbers. Between 2016 and 2020, more people moved to the Centennial State than moved away, according to migration flow analysis from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.

Where did Colorado’s residents go between 2021 and 2022? Many went south, with nearly 21,000 leaving for Florida and about 24,500 moving to Texas.

Others went to California: 19,970, to be exact.

Net migration totals, however, reveal that Colorado is attracting far more people from California than it is losing to the Golden State. More than 33,200 people moved from California to Colorado between 2021 and 2022.

That means California is the greatest source of migrants to Colorado.

Texas takes the number two spot with 25,466 of its residents moving to the Centennial State between 2021 and 2022. Florida is third, with 11,107 people moving to Colorado.

When looking at net migration, this means Texas lost 966 people to Colorado, and Florida gained just shy of 10,000.

Colorado isn’t the only state to receive new residents from California. The Golden State is in the middle of what’s being called the California exodus, wherein high numbers of people are leaving the state.

Between 2021 and 2022, 817,669 people left California for another state. Meanwhile, 475,803 moved there, meaning the net migration was -341,866.

States with the most people moving to Colorado:

1.              California: 33,213

2.              Texas: 25,466

3.              Florida: 11,107

4.              Illinois: 9,281

5.              New York: 8,526

States that received the most people from Colorado:

1.              Texas: 24,511

2.              Florida: 20,980

3.              California: 19,970

4.              Arizona: 12,232

5.              Washington: 9,396

If you’re thinking of moving to Colorado or maybe just recently arrived here, our housing market is expensive, but filled with opportunity. Contact one of the pros at Metrowest and let’s see what’s out there!