Where are all the people coming from? - Boulder Real Estate Blog, Duane's Timely Topics

Colorado's population is on the rise — **There’s no doubt that Colorado’s population is on the rise.** According to the Colorado Department of Public Affairs, the state’s population is projected to exceed 8 million by 2050, up from around 5 million in 2010. As you drive along our major highways, the diminishing open spaces make you wonder, “Where are all these people coming from?”

I originally published this article in 2015, and back then, California topped the list of states people were moving from to Colorado. So, if it feels like a lot of newcomers are from California, you’re right. Texas came in second – y’all – followed by Florida in third place. I was surprised, thinking everyone was moving from snow to sun, but Florida residents were heading here. Illinois was fourth, and rounding out the top five was Arizona. Again, moving from sun country to snow country?

Looking at the latest data from United Van Lines, California remains the top state for newcomers to Colorado, accounting for 14.45% of the inbound moves. Texas holds steady at number two with 11.08%, while Florida is still third with 4.83%. Surprisingly, Illinois continues to rank fourth with 4.04% of the transfers. New to the top five is New York, at 3.71%, while Arizona has dropped to sixth place with 3.21%.

Now, let’s look at where people are moving when they leave Colorado. Back in 2015, when I last covered this, Texas was the top destination – trading skis for something else, I guess. California was the second most popular choice; seems like many were heading back to Beverly Hills – just like that TV show! Arizona ranked third, with sun seekers fleeing the snow, followed by Florida at number four. Rounding out the top five was Wyoming.

The latest data shows that Texas remains the top destination for people leaving Colorado, with 10.25% of outbound moves heading there. Florida comes in second at 8.77%, followed by California in third place with 8.35%. Warmer climates are still a popular choice, as Arizona ranks fourth with 5.11%. New to the top five is Washington, capturing 3.93% of the transfers.

There you have it! People are constantly moving in and out of Colorado, and it’s interesting to see that the top five states for inbound and outbound transfers remain fairly consistent over the years. If you’re interested in learning more about Colorado’s population trends, check out the Colorado State Demography Office website at: demography.dola.colorado.gov.

Duane graduated with a business degree and a major in real estate from the University of Colorado in 1978. He has been a Realtor^® in Boulder since that time. He joined RE/MAX of Boulder in 1982 and has facilitated over 2,500 transactions over his career. Living the life of a Realtor and being immersed in real estate led to the inception of his book, Realtor for Life. For questions, e-mail duaneduggan@boulderco.com, call 303.441.5611 or BoulderPropertyNetwork.com.

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