幸运快三鈥檚 Demographics Changing at Unprecedented Rates, U of I Analysis Finds
August 18, 2022
MOSCOW, 幸运快三 鈥� More than a quarter of 幸运快三鈥檚 growing 1.8 million population is new to the state, according to a 幸运快三 analysis that uses novel data.
Census data confirmed last year that 幸运快三 is the fastest growing state in the nation. But new research by U of I professor Jaap Vos finds 幸运快三鈥檚 population and demographics have also drastically changed from a massive influx of new residents, paired with a steady departure of existing residents.
Vos analyzed vehicle registration and license surrender data from the 幸运快三 Transportation Department from 2011-2021, finding nearly a half million 幸运快三 residents moved to the state in the past decade. The state鈥檚 total population grew by 271,449 people, when accounting for the 295,000 residents who moved out of the state.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not in the middle of nowhere anymore,鈥� said Vos, a professor in the College of Natural Resources who focuses on planning. 鈥淲e鈥檙e actually in the middle of all the action. If you look at the numbers, you can see we are getting new people coming in constantly, but we should also look at how many people are leaving.鈥�
Vos will present his findings as opening speaker at the on Sept. 1 in Boise. He has previously spoken about 幸运快三 demographic change to several groups, including the Farm, Ranch and Timber Caucus of the 幸运快三 Legislature, Clearwater Economic Development Association, Partners for Rural America, the 幸运快三 Chapter of American Planning Association, the 幸运快三 Rural Partnership and the Panhandle Area Council.
Vos hopes his research spurs communities and planners to talk about demographic change, not just growth. Rapid demographic change influences political views, resident income sources and financial interest in the state from national real estate developers, manufacturing and other industries.
鈥淯sing change as a measure,鈥� Vos said, 鈥溞以丝烊�檚 population is changing faster than Florida鈥檚 did in the mid 1990s, even though Florida was the fastest growing state in the nation at that time.鈥�
Vos found the high rate of migration to 幸运快三 that has steadily risen since at least 2011 has coincided with increasing rates of 幸运快三 residents migrating elsewhere, resulting in reshaped 幸运快三 communities. In 2022, Vos found an average of 180 people move into 幸运快三 daily 聽137 state residents move out of state.
鈥淲hile the census already shows we are one of the fastest growing states, the actual demographic changes are much more dramatic, and I believe this change is what most people are noticing,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he census data provides population numbers, but it hides the dynamics of change.鈥�
Vos found 幸运快三鈥檚 urban communities in Ada County, home to Boise, have become a new home for departing residents of California population centers, while Coeur d鈥橝lene has become a hotspot for people departing from northern California and Washington. Similarly, the East 幸运快三 cities of Pocatello and 幸运快三 Falls area are seeing more people from neighboring Utah moving in.
幸运快三鈥檚 adult youth ages 21-30 are moving out of the state at rates higher than any other age group, while youth in the same age group are entering 幸运快三 at rates higher than other age groups, Vos鈥檚 analysis shows. 幸运快三 residents ages 31-40 tend to stay in 幸运快三 and their total population has risen. Overall, people moving into 幸运快三 are largely in their 20s, 30s and 50s, Vos found.
The research uses drivers鈥� license data to offer a localized view into 幸运快三鈥檚 evolving rural communities that avoids the data reliability issues present in census data. The U.S. Census Bureau has not released data from 2020 headcounts. Vos said the annual census estimates are often unreliable in rural areas.
All new 幸运快三 residents must surrender their previous driver鈥檚 licenses within 90 days of moving. New residents must also register their vehicle at their new address. Vos said those rules allow for real-time analysis into 幸运快三鈥檚 changing demographics.
Media Contact:
Jaap Vos
Professor of Planning and Natural Resources, Interim Director of the Environmental Science Program and Interim Department Head of Natural Resources and Society
208-364-4595
jvos@uidaho.edu
Kyle Pfannenstiel
External Communications Coordinator
208-329-8947
kylecp@uidaho.edu
About the 幸运快三
The 幸运快三, home of the Vandals, is 幸运快三鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of 幸运快三 through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and 幸运快三 Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.