New Data: Fewer Than Half of Arizona Residents Were Born Here

Before World War II, most people lived and died about 20 miles from where they were born. According to Answers.com, this was a common practice because people generally stayed close to friends and family. Only rarely did folks venture very far beyond the borders of their town, and certainly not far past the county line.

A lot has changed since then, and now that old adage is almost never true anymore. According to the US Census Bureau, research on geographic mobility from 2005 to around 2023 shows that younger generations, especially Millennials, are far more mobile than previous generations.

Cars, buses, trains, and other easy forms of transportation made it easier to commute to another city for work. Now, the internet has made remote work the standard, rather than the exception, so you no longer need to live within 50 miles or so of the office.

These days, you can live in a completely different state, and that has opened up an array of options. This also means that people are not necessarily invested in the community where they earn a living, so people can live anywhere—and in many cases, they do.

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Arizona Lands In The Top Three For Newcomers

Over the last 5 years or so, there's been a lot of migration between states. We've reached a tipping point where many residents who currently live in Arizona were not born here.

Arizona now ranks as one of the top states where more than half of residents were born somewhere else, and honestly, you can feel it everywhere. Arizona has become one of the most dynamic, fastest-changing states in the country.

READ MORE: Top Cities Arizona Residents Are Moving To

Where Are Arizona’s New Residents Coming From?

According to recent migration data, California is by far the largest source of new residents; more than 54,000 have moved to our state in a single year.

Research from the University of Arizona also shows that the Los Angeles metropolitan area sends the most newcomers to both Phoenix and Tucson. The other states people are moving from are Texas, Washington, Colorado, and Illinois.

Why are so many people suddenly moving here? In a nutshell, the economy and the weather. People are reportedly moving here for lower housing costs, job growth, and the sunny weather. While you can debate whether people moving from these states are pushing up prices here, Arizona still feels like a bargain, especially compared to coastal cities.

RELATED: The Impact of the Migration from California to Arizona

How Does Migration Influence Life in Arizona?

While an increased population can spur growth, people arriving from different states can bring a shadow side that can alter our state's culture and flavor. The new residents are less likely to meld with the existing population, bringing their own expectations about community, services, and civic engagement.

That can influence values and politics. Historically, Arizona has been a conservative, "red-leaning" state, but the last few elections have revealed a more "purple" hue to the political scene, as more people in Arizona's largest metropolitan areas vote for more liberal "blue" candidates.

Here are the Metropolitan Areas with a Majority of Out‑of‑State Residents

According to recent U.S. Census data, here are the cities and states with 60–80% of residents born in another state.

1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Phoenix, Arizona
3. Denver, Colorado
4. Seattle, Washington
5. Portland, Oregon
6. Tampa Bay, Florida
7. Orlando, Florida
8. Miami, Florida
9. Anchorage, Alaska
10. Honolulu, Hawaii