Retirees Are Fleeing These 10 States

When people retire, they often move to another state. And in 2021, older residents of some states were especially likely to pack up and go.

Recently, SmartAsset looked over data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 1-year American Community Survey and teased out information that reveals which states had high percentages of residents age 60 and older who decided to move.

Following are the states that are getting the cold shoulder from the older set.

10. Colorado

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 5,249

For two decades, Colorado recorded robust population growth. But in 2021, migration into the state slowed dramatically, and a fair number of older residents began to look for homes elsewhere.

9. Virginia

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 5,963

Virginia has seen a steady stream of people leaving the state in recent years. But those 60 and older seeking warmer climates are leaving in the biggest numbers.

8. Minnesota

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 6,451

News flash: Minnesota is cold. After years of living in one of the nation’s true iceboxes, who can blame older residents for wanting a change of scenery?

7. Pennsylvania

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 6,808

People are leaving Pennsylvania at what has been characterized as an “alarming rate.” One city in the state, East Stroudsburg, is also among “The 10 Worst Places to Buy a Home If You Want It to Gain Value.”

6. Washington

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 8,659

A lot of older folks are leaving Washington state. However, the knife cuts both ways here: Those who are older also make up one of the largest segments of new residents.

5. Massachusetts

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 8,747

More than 110,000 residents have left Massachusetts since April 2020. In a Boston.com report, Mark Melnik, the director of economic and policy research at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, described that number as “pretty jaw-dropping.”

4. New Jersey

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 13,545

A 2021 study by United Van Lines found that more people left New Jersey that year than any other state. The state also finished at No. 2 on one list of “The 15 Worst States for Retirees in 2023.”

3. Illinois

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 26,287

Illinois is another state that has lost huge numbers of residents in recent years. It also is among “The 15 Most Expensive States for Retirees in 2023.”

2. New York

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 46,709

As we reported in “10 States That Are Losing the Most Residents,” residents of all ages are leaving New York in big numbers.

1. California

Net number of residents age 60 and older that this state lost in 2021: 71,828

While New York has lost a lot of residents in recent years, no state has seen an exodus to match that of California. Recently, we reported that two California cities — San Francisco and Los Angeles — were losing more residents than any other metro in the nation.