The Lone Star State continues to sparkle as a beacon for newcomers, stretching its borders to enfold over 600,000 fresh residents last year, according to the latest migration data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas has posted the biggest numbers, swelling its populace to more than 30.5 million, but Florida isn't far behind in this dance of demographics, with a specific penchant for international arrivals.
In 2023, out of almost 612,000 people who set up camp in Texas, a significant 43 percent hailed from countries other than the United States, KVUE reports. Meanwhile, Florida has edged out Texas slightly, with over 45 percent of its almost 634,000 new settlers coming from abroad, according to the same census release. It's signs as if the South is beckoning to the world.
While the migration figures delineate the influx from an international compass, they remain silent on the specific origins of these global neighbors. Still, the impact is tangible in the life stories of those like Priscila Coronado who found a new home in Miami. "I am happy. My dream is to study, learn English and graduate with a nursing degree," Coronado told Dallas CultureMap. "There is no crime here, and that is an achievement."
Interstate migration also paints an interesting picture, with Texans previously living in California leading the stats before settling into their new Lone Star digs. Conversely, New York bid farewell to many who now call Florida home. But the narrative isn't unilateral—California and Georgia both welcomed those leaving Texas and Florida, respectively. Texas, with its projected population expected to hit 45 million by 2040, continues to be a heavyweight in the migration arena.
