WakeGOV

Title

Net Migration

Trend at a Glance

At last count

62 net new residents per day

Current Through

July 2013

What does this measure?

Migration, along with births and deaths, are the components that determine an area's population change. Total net migration itself is a factor of two determinants: internal migration and international migration. Internal migration is the number of people moving from one area in the county, state or nation to another, while international migration tracks the movement of the foreign-born and the emigration of the native-born. Because people move to areas that offer the jobs they need and the quality of life they desire, net migration is a useful tool in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a region, both economically and socially. Understanding the origins and destinations of a community's residents helps businesses and local governments predict the community’s changing needs and plan for changes in service demands.

How is Wake County performing?

Wake County leads the state in net migration. On average, migration has accounted for about 67% of population change annually since 1990.

Did you know?

781 new residents moved from Miami-Dade County, Fla., between 2007 and 2011, constituting the highest in-migration from any single county outside of North Carolina. 560 former Wake County residents moved to Maricopa County, Ariz., in that same time period, representing the highest out-flow to any county outside of North Carolina.

Data Source

North Carolina Vital Statistics, North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

"ACS Estimates of the Components of Resident Population Change" table, American Community Survey estimates provided by the US Census Bureau, found using American FactFinder

Data Considerations

Through 2010, net migration numbers are derived from US Census Bureau population numbers and vital statistics from the North Carolina State Demographer. Net migration was found by employing the following formula:

Residual net migration = (population in the latter year – population in earlier year) – (births – deaths).

Beginning in 2011, the US Census Bureau began publishing components of population change estimates, which includes net migration numbers. Subsequently, Wake County by the Numbers began relying solely on Census estimates beginning in 2011.

According the the US Census Bureau, total population change includes a residual. This residual represents the change in population that cannot be attributed to any specific demographic component.

Charts & Maps

Data is updated:

The United States Census Bureau publishes prior year's population component change data annually in March. Data is published here annually on or around March 30 by Wake County Planning, Development and Inspections.