An estimated 8.93 million have relocated since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors, and Texas’ population took a big hit, declining by 2,681 residents between March and the end of October.

The outward migration was the second highest in the nation, following the state of New York, which has lost 2,847 residents since the onset of the coronavirus.

Arkansas was the biggest destination for those leaving the state at 16%, followed by Florida at 13% and New Mexico at 9%. About 37% of the people who moved into the state came from Arkansas, while 20% came from California and 7% Illinois.

The report noted that the populations of large cities have declined the most during the pandemic.
“Specifically, we see people moving out of some of the country’s most popular areas and relocating to the suburbs,” the report noted. “This means that most people moved close to their home.”

That’s good news for counties near big cities, according to the report.

So what’s in store for 2021 with the promise of a vaccine on the horizon? NAR reports that many companies have chosen to work from home permanently, so migration patterns seen during the pandemic are likely to continue.