An estimated 8.93 million have relocated since the start of the pandemic, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors, but Florida’s population stayed relatively flat during the period, declining by only 102 residents between March and the end of October.

Florida was the second most popular destination for those who moved from New York, which has the highest outward migration in the nation, losing 2,847 residents since March. But Texas made up the largest percentage of those moving in at 28%. New Yorkers made up 15% of those moving to Florida, and 10% of new residents were from New Jersey.

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.