AUSTIN – When people consider a cross-country move, there are a number of factors that go into relocation plans, including work, retirement and family.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 46 million Americans pulled up stakes in 2015, with about 7.5 million of those moves to a different state.
According to the Census Bureau data, many of the moves occurred in the nation’s four largest states: Florida, New York, California and Texas.
Moreover, Americans are increasingly attracted to large metropolitan areas. The data also uncovered another surprising trend: Texas’ major cities are attracting people from every corner of the country.
The state has been able to attract new residents and businesses because of its advantages in taxation, Ciara Matthews, deputy communications director for Gov. Greg Abbott, told The Record.
In fact, the Tax Foundation ranks the state 46 out of 50 states with the lowest local and state tax burden in the country.
“Less government, low taxes, smarter regulations and right-to-work laws are the pro-growth economic policies that help free enterprise and home-grown businesses flourish, and that attract more employers to Texas every day from states that over-tax and over-regulate,” Matthews said.
Census Bureau data also found that Austin has been a hotbed for relocation, and it is no surprise to Texas officials, according to Matthews.
“For the 12th year in a row, the nation’s top CEOs rank the Lone Star State as the best state for business and for the fifth year in a row Texas has won Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup,” she said.
According to a recent survey by the Office of the State Demographer, approximately 5.9 million people moved to the Lone Star State between 2005 and 2013, with most coming from another state.
Matthews noted that the state’s ability to attract new businesses is creating jobs, which in turn attracts people seeking opportunities.
“The Texas Enterprise Fund – the state’s ‘deal-closing’ program – has helped bring diverse industries and thousands of new jobs to Texas,” she said. “Put simply, the path to prosperity for more families and for more businesses begins in Texas.”