Pennsylvania is home to nearly 13 million people, but its population is still on the rise thanks to migrants from other states, new U.S. Census data shows.
Overall, Pennsylvania gained an estimated 237,526 people from other states in 2023, year-over-year, according to recently published Census data. But where are the most new Pennsylvania residents coming from?
Nearby states such as New York, New Jersey and Maryland sent the most new residents to the Keystone State last year, but many more came from as far as California and Texas. Pennsylvania, the fifth-most populous state in the nation, gained at least 10,000 new residents from eight different states.
Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s recent interstate migration totals, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Pennsylvania gained the most new residents from these states in 2023
Here’s a look at the states from which Pennsylvania drew the most new residents last year, according to recently published Census migration data:
1. New York: 42,637 new Pennsylvania residents
2. New Jersey: 41,215 new Pennsylvania residents
3. Maryland: 20,654 new Pennsylvania residents
4. Florida: 13,412 new Pennsylvania residents
5. Texas: 11,680 new Pennsylvania residents
6. California: 11,590 new Pennsylvania residents
7. Ohio: 11,277 new Pennsylvania residents
8. Virginia: 10,019 new Pennsylvania residents
9. Delaware: 6,612 new Pennsylvania residents
10. Massachusetts: 6,379 new Pennsylvania residents
Additionally, about 73,871 people migrated to the Keystone State from outside the U.S., Census data projects. That figure includes territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus foreign countries.
In a 2023 study, long-distance moving company United Van Lines estimated the largest portion of new Pennsylvania residents (36.3%) moved to the commonwealth for family purposes. About 29.7% moved to Pennsylvania for work, while roughly 10.9% retired here.
Roughly 52% of Pennsylvania’s incoming residents in 2023 had household incomes exceeding $150,000, the study claims. About 19.8% make between $100,000 and $149,999 annually.
United Van Lines’ percentage estimates may not completely line up with demographic data or equal 100%, the company notes, because each respondent can skip survey questions or select more than one answer for a given prompt.
Earlier this year, personal finance website WalletHub published a new report that considers Pennsylvania one of the best states in the U.S. The report compared all 50 states on “indicators of livability,” including housing costs, income growth, education quality and health care options, and found the commonwealth offers a high quality of life.
Pennsylvania’s full migration breakdown
Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of the Census’ estimated migration of new residents to Pennsylvania from every state and the District of Columbia in 2023:
— Alabama: 1,733
— Alaska: 595
— Arizona: 3,773
— Arkansas: 776
— California: 11,590
— Colorado: 3,234
— Connecticut: 3,619
— Delaware: 6,612
— District of Columbia: 1,208
— Florida: 13,412
— Georgia: 3,768
— Hawaii: 728
— Idaho: 629
— Illinois: 4,430
— Indiana: 3,419
— Iowa: 370
— Kansas: 1,129
— Kentucky: 1,266
— Louisiana: 410
— Maine: 1,187
— Maryland: 20,654
— Massachusetts: 6,379
— Michigan: 1,856
— Minnesota: 1,012
— Mississippi: 878
— Missouri: 1,164
— Montana: 338
— Nebraska: 445
— Nevada: 1,548
— New Hampshire: 665
— New Jersey: 41,215
— New Mexico: 370
— New York: 42,637
— North Carolina: 5,741
— North Dakota: 30
— Ohio: 11,277
— Oklahoma: 533
— Oregon: 1,150
— Rhode Island: 1,005
— South Carolina: 2,807
— South Dakota: 782
— Tennessee: 2,617
— Texas: 11,680
— Utah: 665
— Vermont: 494
— Virginia: 10,019
— Washington: 2,624
— West Virginia: 1,879
— Wisconsin: 718
— Wyoming: 456
Last year’s Census estimates reported Pennsylvania’s 237,526 new residents with a margin of error of about 11,760 people, according to the figures. The relative margin of error varies for each state and territory.
You can browse the latest Census migration figures yourself by visiting census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html.
