Net Migration
More than one million people live in the Hampton Roads metropolitan statistical area (MSA), but over the last seven years, the region experienced the lowest population growth in Virginia.
Why is This Important?
Net migration is a measure of people moving into and away from an area. The total net migration for an area is comprised of two parts: internal migration and international migration. Simply stated, internal migration is the number of people moving from one area in a country to another, while international migration tracks the movement of the foreign born as well as the emigration of the native born.
The flow of people from one place to another can be a useful tool in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a region, both economically and socially. People move to areas that offer the jobs they need and the quality of life they desire.
How is Hampton Roads Doing?
The Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA (Hampton Roads MSA) experienced a net migration loss between 2007 and 2008. Although there was a slight increase in international migration, a large deficit in internal migration resulted in a decline in population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. This outflow was so large that, even with the strong natural population increase (births-deaths) of 12,079, the Hampton Roads MSA had a net loss in population for the year.
| Total Population Change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic area | Number* | Percent | Natural Increase (Births / Deaths) | Total Net Migration | Inter- national Migration |
Internal Migration |
| Virginia | 70,304 | 0.9 | 48,725 | 22,243 | 19,565 | 2,678 |
| United States | 2,769,392 | 0.9 | 1,880,567 | 888,825 | 888,825 | |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | -1,387 | -0.1 | 12,079 | -13,978 | 1,545 | -15,523 |
| Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC | 55,368 | 3.4 | 15,944 | 39,121 | 4,734 | 34,387 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 15,415 | 1.2 | 8,594 | 6,444 | 1,676 | 4,768 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 44,804 | 4.3 | 11,605 | 33,034 | 3,766 | 29,268 |
| Savannah, GA | 5,046 | 1.5 | 2,584 | 2,400 | 382 | 2,018 |
| Winchester, VA -- leading VA MSA | 1,462 | 1.2 | 793 | 683 | 133 | 550 |
Similar trends are visible when migration and population changes are considered over a longer period of time. Census Bureau numbers for Hampton Roads between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2008, also show net migration numbers significantly below those of peer metropolitan areas (MSA). Consistently strong birth rates kept the population from falling; however, the growth rate was well below the Virginia state population growth rate. The Winchester MSA is the fastest growing MSA in Virginia.
| Total Population Change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic area | Number* | Percent | Natural Increase (Births / Deaths) | Total Net Migration | Inter- national Migration |
Internal Migration |
| Virginia | 690,064 | 9.7 | 376,015 | 321,605 | 162,200 | 159,405 |
| United States | 22,635,122 | 8.0 | 14,124,166 | 8,114,516 | 8,114,516 | |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 81,376 | 5.2 | 95,626 | -10,461 | -1,171 | -9,290 |
| Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC | 371,274 | 27.9 | 108,911 | 268,137 | 44,413 | 223,724 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 190,478 | 17.0 | 60,127 | 134,985 | 11,953 | 123,032 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 291,700 | 36.6 | 80,996 | 207,304 | 35,372 | 171,932 |
| Savannah, GA | 41,051 | 14.0 | 17,316 | 25,110 | 2,711 | 22,399 |
| Winchester, VA -- leading VA MSA | 19,373 | 18.8 | 4,997 | 14,835 | 1,271 | 13,564 |
What Influences Migration?
Economic factors, such as employment opportunities and costs of living, are influential in choosing a place of residence but they are by no means the only forces at work. A host of personal factors also influence migration such as age, family ties and aspirations, opinions on rural and urban lifestyles, and even climate preference.
Data Definitions and Sources
Migration and Population Change Data - Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau: Tables 2-5, 9, 10.
For further definitions or explanations of migration terms consult the U.S. Census Bureau. Note: County and independent city population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau explicitly account for overseas military movement, an important component of the Hampton Roads population change.
*Population change also includes a residual estimated by the Census Bureau that results from the incorporation of additional information. This residual is not reflected in the table of population change. Therefore, the components of population change will not sum up to the total population change.
See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.
