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When people retire, they often move to another state. And in 2021, older residents in some states, in particular, would pack up and leave.
Recently, SmartAsset reviewed data from the US Census Bureau’s 1-year 2021 American Community Survey and pulled out information showing which states have a high percentage of residents ages 60 and older who have chosen to relocate.
Below are the states getting the cold shoulder from the older set.
10. Colorado
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 5,249
Colorado experienced robust population growth for two decades. But in 2021, migration into the state slowed dramatically, and a significant number of older residents began to seek homes elsewhere.
9. Va
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 5,963
Virginia has seen a steady stream of people leaving the state in recent years. But the over-60s, seeking warmer climates, are moving away in largest numbers.
8.Minnesota
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 6,451
Breaking news: Minnesota is cold. Who can blame elderly residents for spending years living in one of the nation’s veritable coolers after a change of scenery?
7. Pennsylvania
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 6,808
People are leaving Pennsylvania at what has been described as an “alarming” rate. One city in the state — East Stroudsburg — is also among the “10 Worst Places to Buy a Home If You Want It to Appreciate in Value.”
6. Washington
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 8,659
Many older people are leaving Washington State. However, the knife cuts in both directions here: Older people also make up one of the largest segments of newcomers.
5. Massachusetts
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 8,747
More than 110,000 residents have left Massachusetts since April 2020. In a Boston.com report, Mark Melnik, director of economics and policy research at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, described the figure as “pretty staggering.”
4. New Jersey
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 13,545
A 2021 study by United Van Lines found that more people left New Jersey that year than any other state. The state was also ranked #2 on a list of the “15 Worst States for Retirees in 2023.”
3. Illinois
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 26,287
Illinois is another state that has lost many residents in recent years. It is also among the “15 Most Expensive States for Retirees in 2023”.
2. New York
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 46,709
As we reported in 10 States Losing the Most Residents, residents of all ages are leaving New York in large numbers.
1. California
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Net number of residents aged 60 and over this state lost in 2021: 71,828
While New York has lost many residents in recent years, no state has experienced an exodus to match California’s. We recently reported that two California cities — San Francisco and Los Angeles — are losing more residents than any other metro in the country.
