Census Migration Data Show the Value of Freedom

Americans prefer to live where they can keep what they earn and be left alone—even if the freebies are better elsewhere.
Census Migration Data Show the Value of Freedom
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Commentary
The US Census Bureau just released state population data for mid-year 2025, along with updates for all previous years back to the 2020 Census. The Census estimates population growth with data on births, deaths, international migration, and “domestic migration” (among states and territories of the US). I always enjoy looking at the domestic migration data because they tell us a lot about where Americans prefer to live.
Jason Sorens
Jason Sorens
Author
Jason Sorens is senior research faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), co-author of “Freedom in the 50 States,” and founder of the Free State Project.