Over the past two decades, a net 3.4 million people have moved out of California for other states. But contrary to conservative lore, there has been no millionaires’ march to Texas or other states with no income tax.
In fact, since 2005 California has experienced a net in-migration of households earning more than $200,000, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey.
California Outmigration by Income, 2005-2011
| Ann. Income | # of Outbound Migrants |
| 0-$20,000 | |
| $20-$40,000 | |
| $40-$60,000 | |
| $60-$80,000 | |
| $80-$100,000 | |
| $100-$200,000 | |
| $200,000+ |
As it happens, most of California’s outward-bound migrants are low- to middle-income, with relatively little education: those typically employed in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and to some extent natural-resource extraction. Their median household income is about $40,000—two-thirds of the statewide median—and about 95% earn less than $80,000. Only one in 10 has a college degree, compared with 30% of California’s population. Roughly 40% of the people leaving are Hispanic.
Read the rest of the article here, and/or watch the video:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324338604578326402863024028.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
Former NBA player leaves assault weapons behind:
http://www.businessinsider.com/robert-swift-leaves-foreclosed-house-trashed-photos-2013-3
Stanford published study results last year confirming no net outflow of the wealthy from CA. Personally I know very few people that were making big dough out here that packed up and moved to another state. Why walk away from a successful situation, business contacts, kids in school, great house, weather, etc etc. Conversely we have lost quite a few middle-class type friends to other states, primarily seeking lower housing costs.