(The Center Square) – Wyoming ranks as “the least-sticky state” in the nation, with 45.2% of natives staying there, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
The bank said “stickiness” – or “the share of people born in a state and who stay there” – is “key to maintaining a stable (or growing) population and workforce, which is vital to economic growth.”
Wyoming ranked as less “sticky” that North Dakota (48.6%) and Alaska (48.7%), while Rhode Island and South Dakota complete the bottom five with 55.2% and 54.2% respectively.
“Notably, the least-sticky states tend to see high levels of outmigration of everyone – not just their native residents,” the report said.
To compile the report, the bank’s researchers used data from the Census Bureau’s American Consumer Survey, something the it considers “the premier source” for information on population and housing.
Without what they call “sufficient employment opportunities,” researchers said natives of a state may be pushed or feel led to move elsewhere for jobs.
Texas is “by far” the stickiest state with around 82% of native Texans living within its borders, according to the bank. Other sticky states include North Carolina (75.5%), Georgia (74.2 %), California (73 %) and Utah (72.9 %).
