From Jon at ocregister.com:
Despite California’s economic challenges, the state was a draw last year — at least by moving van. Our compilation of annual traffic trends from three big van lines — United, Atlas and Allied — show that California last year had more inbound moves than departures for the second time in three years.
All told, the three van lines had 56,598 California moves in and out last year — an 8% increase vs. ’09. That growth alone is a good economic sign, as total trips involving Californians had fallen the previous four years we tracked. (2010 was still 37% below 2005 in terms of total moves in and out!)
Of those 2010 van moves, 51.2% were inbound moves to California vs. an 49.4% inbound rate in ’09. It’s only the second time since 2005 — 2008, if you must know — that vans from these three lines brought in more people to this state vs. taking them away. How it broke down:
- United had 30,608 California moves last year – up 5% vs. ’09. Of that work, 51.3% was inbound moves vs. 49.2% in ’09. This is the highest level of in-bound California traffic for this line since 2000.
- Atlas had 13,689 California moves last year – up 8% vs. ’09. Of that work, 52.3% was inbound moves vs. 51.3% in ’09. This is fourth consecutive year that Atlas had more inbound California work than outbound shipments.
- Allied had 12,301 California moves last year – 13% vs. ’09. Of that work, 49.5% was inbound moves vs. 47.9% in ’09.
Trends in van moves are often watched as a signal of managerial hiring. Those new employees typically get employer-paid relocations that include van services. And these kind of people are typically homebuyers.
Now, to be fair, this class of mover to California can’t stem an overall outmigration to elsewhere in the nation. The 2,946 extra inbound van moves in 2010 weren’t enough to stop California from losing 72,000 folks to other states last year. Although, that outmigration was an improvement from 113,000 lost in ’09, according to data from the state Department of Finance.
California also grew by 350,000 people last year, 81% of that was from kids born here.
Also, last year was the first time since the Gold Rush that native Californians were a majority here, 54% last year.
This is because when people move here they have lots of money and can afford moving services. While they are here, the government frisks them of everything so when they move away, they drive in a used station wagon.
California is #9 in the U.S. for median household income.
As for taxes we’re #11.
It’s on Wikipedia for doubters.
Mozart,
I’d like to see that link, because the first thing I’d do is dispute it.
There is not a single way of saying “highest taxes”, since every person is subject to different kinds of taxation, and each state levies their own kinds of taxes. Not to mention that most metrics like “taxes per person”, or “highest marginal rates” are not indicative of each person’s taxes, nor does it reflect the effect of income on taxes.
California is a high tax state when all things are considered, and every study states that. I’d be surprised about any study that does not put it in the top 10, and suspicious of its methods since I could quote a handful of well-known and reputable studies that state otherwise.
With that said, there are many things in California which are cheaper compared to other places, but taxes are not one of them.
Let’s not obfuscate the truth. You can be optimistic about California despite its warts. Every place has them.
Chuck
I would like to see the composition of the people who moved here. Remember California has 33% of the nation’s welfare cases (no limits like other states), so I would be suspicious to say the least.
I hope, though it good producers that are coming here fueling our economy.
chuck: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_tax_levels_in_the_United_States