For the first time in nearly three decades, the number of people moving into Indiana is roughly equal to those moving out, according to a study by Atlas Van Lines, a moving company based in Indiana.
Every year, Atlas analyzes global moving patterns using shipping data. This study, which spans almost 30 years, shows how migration trends have changed in the state.
Lauren Piekos, a vice president at Atlas, explained, We track all types of moves—across states, provinces in Canada, and even internationally. They focus on two key points: how many people leave an area and how many people move in.
- If more than 55% of moves are people leaving, the area is labeled as outbound.
- If more than 55% are people moving in, it’s called inbound.
- If the percentages are about the same, the area is considered “balanced.
Looking at data from November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024, Indiana was found to be balanced, a status it hasn’t achieved since 1995. Historically, Indiana has been an “outbound” state, meaning more people left than moved in.
This trend isn’t unique to Indiana. Piekos noted, “This year, more states are balanced than ever before. Only six states are still ‘outbound,’ including big ones like California, Illinois, and New York.
The study also surveyed people who moved in the past three years. In Indiana, many chose areas like Carmel and Anderson because they are more affordable compared to nearby locations.
For example, neighboring Illinois remains an outbound state. About 44% of people leaving Illinois are moving to Indiana, likely due to Indiana’s lower cost of living.