Mapped: Foreign Migrant Inflows by State in 2023

States With The Most Migrants From Foreign Countries

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Every year, the United States attracts millions of newcomers from around the globe, making it one of the most popular destinations for international migrants.

Whether pursuing economic opportunities, family reunification, or refuge from hardship, these individuals choose to build new lives across the U.S., settling into its various states.

This visualization shows the migration flows of those who lived in a foreign country one year ago and now reside in a U.S. state or Puerto Rico in 2023, with the top 20 states’ with the most total new residents from foreign countries highlighted at the bottom.

State-by-state migration flow data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is updated as of August 2024.

Which States Did Foreign Migrants Move To In 2023?

Below, we show the number of new residents in each state in 2023 who lived in a foreign country the year before.

In 2023, 2.4 million people who lived in a different country in the previous year moved to the United States.

Larger states typically see higher migration inflows, such as California, Florida, Texas, and New York. These top four states are home to some of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the U.S, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.

These major cities often act as hubs for migrants due to job opportunities and established immigrant communities.

New York City in particular has long been known as the “gateway” to America.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ellis Island, situated in New York Harbor, served as the primary entry point for millions of immigrants arriving by ship.

Today, the city continues to be the premier destination for immigration. The New York City metropolitan area was home to the most immigrants (around 5.9 million) as of the 2018-2022 period.

Methodology

The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey collects data on whether respondents aged one year and older lived in the same residence one year ago. For individuals who lived in a different residence, the location of their previous residence is collected, including foreign countries, Puerto Rico, and U.S. island territories.

The figures in this visualization includes immigrants (those moving to a country with the intention of permanently settling there) and migrants (general term for someone who moves away from their place of usual residence). The survey does not capture the intention of the people who moved.

For example, a California resident who lived in France in 2022, and moved back to California in 2023 would be captured in this visualization.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about where immigrants to America are coming from, check out this graphic that shows the regions U.S. immigrants came from based on 2022 estimates.