Where people in Chicago are moving to most
Written by:
April 18, 2021
Christopher & Amy Esposito // Wikicommons
Where people in Chicago are moving to most
Stacker compiled a list of where people in Chicago are moving to the most using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Metros are ranked by the estimated number of people who moved to the metro from Chicago between 2014 and 2018. Ties were broken by gross migration.
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Canva
#50. Cleveland-Elyria, OH Metro Area
- Migration to Cleveland in 2014-2018: 1,366
- Migration from Cleveland to Chicago: 1,515 (#5 most common destination from Cleveland)
- Net migration: 149 to Chicago
- Migration from Cleveland to Chicago: 1,515 (#5 most common destination from Cleveland)
- Net migration: 149 to Chicago
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aka Kath // Flickr
#49. Springfield, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Springfield in 2014-2018: 1,484
- Migration from Springfield to Chicago: 1,296 (#2 most common destination from Springfield)
- Net migration: 188 to Springfield
- Migration from Springfield to Chicago: 1,296 (#2 most common destination from Springfield)
- Net migration: 188 to Springfield
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Sanibel Sun // WikiCommons
#48. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metro Area
- Migration to Cape Coral in 2014-2018: 1,491
- Migration from Cape Coral to Chicago: 433 (#12 most common destination from Cape Coral)
- Net migration: 1,058 to Cape Coral
- Migration from Cape Coral to Chicago: 433 (#12 most common destination from Cape Coral)
- Net migration: 1,058 to Cape Coral
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BusinessEditorUSA // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metro Area
- Migration to Charlotte in 2014-2018: 1,504
- Migration from Charlotte to Chicago: 1,462 (#13 most common destination from Charlotte)
- Net migration: 42 to Charlotte
- Migration from Charlotte to Chicago: 1,462 (#13 most common destination from Charlotte)
- Net migration: 42 to Charlotte
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AndrewAvitus // Wikicommons'
#46. Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
- Migration to Jacksonville in 2014-2018: 1,514
- Migration from Jacksonville to Chicago: 659 (#19 most common destination from Jacksonville)
- Net migration: 855 to Jacksonville
- Migration from Jacksonville to Chicago: 659 (#19 most common destination from Jacksonville)
- Net migration: 855 to Jacksonville
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AndrewHorne // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Ann Arbor, MI Metro Area
- Migration to Ann Arbor in 2014-2018: 1,541
- Migration from Ann Arbor to Chicago: 1,229 (#2 most common destination from Ann Arbor)
- Net migration: 312 to Ann Arbor
- Migration from Ann Arbor to Chicago: 1,229 (#2 most common destination from Ann Arbor)
- Net migration: 312 to Ann Arbor
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f11photo // Shutterstock
#44. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metro Area
- Migration to Philadelphia in 2014-2018: 1,547
- Migration from Philadelphia to Chicago: 1,802 (#25 most common destination from Philadelphia)
- Net migration: 255 to Chicago
- Migration from Philadelphia to Chicago: 1,802 (#25 most common destination from Philadelphia)
- Net migration: 255 to Chicago
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Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock
#43. South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metro Area
- Migration to South Bend in 2014-2018: 1,548
- Migration from South Bend to Chicago: 1,505 (#2 most common destination from South Bend)
- Net migration: 43 to South Bend
- Migration from South Bend to Chicago: 1,505 (#2 most common destination from South Bend)
- Net migration: 43 to South Bend
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Robert Lawton // Wikimedia
#42. Peoria, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Peoria in 2014-2018: 1,617
- Migration from Peoria to Chicago: 2,243 (#1 most common destination from Peoria)
- Net migration: 626 to Chicago
- Migration from Peoria to Chicago: 2,243 (#1 most common destination from Peoria)
- Net migration: 626 to Chicago
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Billwhittaker // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Iowa City, IA Metro Area
- Migration to Iowa City in 2014-2018: 1,748
- Migration from Iowa City to Chicago: 856 (#3 most common destination from Iowa City)
- Net migration: 892 to Iowa City
- Migration from Iowa City to Chicago: 856 (#3 most common destination from Iowa City)
- Net migration: 892 to Iowa City
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Pixabay
#40. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Metro Area
- Migration to San Antonio in 2014-2018: 1,802
- Migration from San Antonio to Chicago: 947 (#12 most common destination from San Antonio)
- Net migration: 855 to San Antonio
- Migration from San Antonio to Chicago: 947 (#12 most common destination from San Antonio)
- Net migration: 855 to San Antonio
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Canva
#39. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metro Area
- Migration to Cincinnati in 2014-2018: 1,983
- Migration from Cincinnati to Chicago: 2,115 (#5 most common destination from Cincinnati)
- Net migration: 132 to Chicago
- Migration from Cincinnati to Chicago: 2,115 (#5 most common destination from Cincinnati)
- Net migration: 132 to Chicago
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Pixabay
#38. Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area
- Migration to Austin in 2014-2018: 2,033
- Migration from Austin to Chicago: 1,332 (#12 most common destination from Austin)
- Net migration: 701 to Austin
- Migration from Austin to Chicago: 1,332 (#12 most common destination from Austin)
- Net migration: 701 to Austin
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Grguy2011 // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metro Area
- Migration to Grand Rapids in 2014-2018: 2,075
- Migration from Grand Rapids to Chicago: 904 (#6 most common destination from Grand Rapids)
- Net migration: 1,171 to Grand Rapids
- Migration from Grand Rapids to Chicago: 904 (#6 most common destination from Grand Rapids)
- Net migration: 1,171 to Grand Rapids
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JamesPatrick.pro // Shutterstock
#36. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metro Area
- Migration to Davenport in 2014-2018: 2,100
- Migration from Davenport to Chicago: 1,329 (#1 most common destination from Davenport)
- Net migration: 771 to Davenport
- Migration from Davenport to Chicago: 1,329 (#1 most common destination from Davenport)
- Net migration: 771 to Davenport
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#35. Columbus, OH Metro Area
- Migration to Columbus in 2014-2018: 2,227
- Migration from Columbus to Chicago: 1,348 (#6 most common destination from Columbus)
- Net migration: 879 to Columbus
- Migration from Columbus to Chicago: 1,348 (#6 most common destination from Columbus)
- Net migration: 879 to Columbus
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Michael // Wikimedia Comons
#34. Kankakee, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Kankakee in 2014-2018: 2,298
- Migration from Kankakee to Chicago: 2,048 (#1 most common destination from Kankakee)
- Net migration: 250 to Kankakee
- Migration from Kankakee to Chicago: 2,048 (#1 most common destination from Kankakee)
- Net migration: 250 to Kankakee
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gillfoto // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Racine, WI Metro Area
- Migration to Racine in 2014-2018: 2,334
- Migration from Racine to Chicago: 2,151 (#2 most common destination from Racine)
- Net migration: 183 to Racine
- Migration from Racine to Chicago: 2,151 (#2 most common destination from Racine)
- Net migration: 183 to Racine
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Don Ramey Logan // Wikicommons
#32. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area
- Migration to San Jose in 2014-2018: 2,343
- Migration from San Jose to Chicago: 699 (#25 most common destination from San Jose)
- Net migration: 1,644 to San Jose
- Migration from San Jose to Chicago: 699 (#25 most common destination from San Jose)
- Net migration: 1,644 to San Jose
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Yahala // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Bloomington, IN Metro Area
- Migration to Bloomington in 2014-2018: 2,432
- Migration from Bloomington to Chicago: 763 (#2 most common destination from Bloomington)
- Net migration: 1,669 to Bloomington
- Migration from Bloomington to Chicago: 763 (#2 most common destination from Bloomington)
- Net migration: 1,669 to Bloomington
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randy andy // Shutterstock
#30. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV Metro Area
- Migration to Las Vegas in 2014-2018: 2,441
- Migration from Las Vegas to Chicago: 1,133 (#13 most common destination from Las Vegas)
- Net migration: 1,308 to Las Vegas
- Migration from Las Vegas to Chicago: 1,133 (#13 most common destination from Las Vegas)
- Net migration: 1,308 to Las Vegas
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Explorecdale // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Carbondale-Marion, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Carbondale in 2014-2018: 2,479
- Migration from Carbondale to Chicago: 1,149 (#1 most common destination from Carbondale)
- Net migration: 1,330 to Carbondale
- Migration from Carbondale to Chicago: 1,149 (#1 most common destination from Carbondale)
- Net migration: 1,330 to Carbondale
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Matt Morse // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metro Area
- Migration to Michigan City in 2014-2018: 2,595
- Migration from Michigan City to Chicago: 1,044 (#2 most common destination from Michigan City)
- Net migration: 1,551 to Michigan City
- Migration from Michigan City to Chicago: 1,044 (#2 most common destination from Michigan City)
- Net migration: 1,551 to Michigan City
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Qsthomson // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Metro Area
- Migration to Lafayette in 2014-2018: 2,632
- Migration from Lafayette to Chicago: 1,310 (#2 most common destination from Lafayette)
- Net migration: 1,322 to Lafayette
- Migration from Lafayette to Chicago: 1,310 (#2 most common destination from Lafayette)
- Net migration: 1,322 to Lafayette
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Sherry V Smith // Shutterstock
#26. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metro Area
- Migration to Virginia Beach in 2014-2018: 2,642
- Migration from Virginia Beach to Chicago: 1,694 (#6 most common destination from Virginia Beach)
- Net migration: 948 to Virginia Beach
- Migration from Virginia Beach to Chicago: 1,694 (#6 most common destination from Virginia Beach)
- Net migration: 948 to Virginia Beach
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Songquan Deng // Shutterstock
#25. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Metro Area
- Migration to Orlando in 2014-2018: 2,694
- Migration from Orlando to Chicago: 1,170 (#20 most common destination from Orlando)
- Net migration: 1,524 to Orlando
- Migration from Orlando to Chicago: 1,170 (#20 most common destination from Orlando)
- Net migration: 1,524 to Orlando
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#24. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro Area
- Migration to Boston in 2014-2018: 2,939
- Migration from Boston to Chicago: 2,677 (#13 most common destination from Boston)
- Net migration: 262 to Boston
- Migration from Boston to Chicago: 2,677 (#13 most common destination from Boston)
- Net migration: 262 to Boston
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f11photo // Shutterstock
#23. Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metro Area
- Migration to Nashville in 2014-2018: 3,208
- Migration from Nashville to Chicago: 1,579 (#7 most common destination from Nashville)
- Net migration: 1,629 to Nashville
- Migration from Nashville to Chicago: 1,579 (#7 most common destination from Nashville)
- Net migration: 1,629 to Nashville
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SD Dirk // Flickr
#22. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Migration to San Diego in 2014-2018: 3,370
- Migration from San Diego to Chicago: 1,928 (#15 most common destination from San Diego)
- Net migration: 1,442 to San Diego
- Migration from San Diego to Chicago: 1,928 (#15 most common destination from San Diego)
- Net migration: 1,442 to San Diego
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Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#21. Madison, WI Metro Area
- Migration to Madison in 2014-2018: 3,434
- Migration from Madison to Chicago: 2,098 (#2 most common destination from Madison)
- Net migration: 1,336 to Madison
- Migration from Madison to Chicago: 2,098 (#2 most common destination from Madison)
- Net migration: 1,336 to Madison
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Kolossos // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Metro Area
- Migration to Miami in 2014-2018: 3,480
- Migration from Miami to Chicago: 2,534 (#16 most common destination from Miami)
- Net migration: 946 to Miami
- Migration from Miami to Chicago: 2,534 (#16 most common destination from Miami)
- Net migration: 946 to Miami
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay
#19. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area
- Migration to Detroit in 2014-2018: 3,562
- Migration from Detroit to Chicago: 2,882 (#5 most common destination from Detroit)
- Net migration: 680 to Detroit
- Migration from Detroit to Chicago: 2,882 (#5 most common destination from Detroit)
- Net migration: 680 to Detroit
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Alvesgaspar // Wikimedia
#18. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area
- Migration to Tampa in 2014-2018: 3,734
- Migration from Tampa to Chicago: 1,281 (#14 most common destination from Tampa)
- Net migration: 2,453 to Tampa
- Migration from Tampa to Chicago: 1,281 (#14 most common destination from Tampa)
- Net migration: 2,453 to Tampa
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Public Domain
#17. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Migration to Seattle in 2014-2018: 3,744
- Migration from Seattle to Chicago: 1,607 (#20 most common destination from Seattle)
- Net migration: 2,137 to Seattle
- Migration from Seattle to Chicago: 1,607 (#20 most common destination from Seattle)
- Net migration: 2,137 to Seattle
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en:User:Paul.h // Wikimedia
#16. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA Metro Area
- Migration to San Francisco in 2014-2018: 3,842
- Migration from San Francisco to Chicago: 2,865 (#18 most common destination from San Francisco)
- Net migration: 977 to San Francisco
- Migration from San Francisco to Chicago: 2,865 (#18 most common destination from San Francisco)
- Net migration: 977 to San Francisco
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Andrew Bossi // Wikimedia
#15. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area
- Migration to Washington in 2014-2018: 4,142
- Migration from Washington to Chicago: 3,531 (#16 most common destination from Washington)
- Net migration: 611 to Washington
- Migration from Washington to Chicago: 3,531 (#16 most common destination from Washington)
- Net migration: 611 to Washington
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Yahala // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Bloomington, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Bloomington in 2014-2018: 4,404
- Migration from Bloomington to Chicago: 1,847 (#1 most common destination from Bloomington)
- Net migration: 2,557 to Bloomington
- Migration from Bloomington to Chicago: 1,847 (#1 most common destination from Bloomington)
- Net migration: 2,557 to Bloomington
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f11photo // Shutterstock
#13. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area
- Migration to Denver in 2014-2018: 4,478
- Migration from Denver to Chicago: 1,723 (#13 most common destination from Denver)
- Net migration: 2,755 to Denver
- Migration from Denver to Chicago: 1,723 (#13 most common destination from Denver)
- Net migration: 2,755 to Denver
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skeeze // Pixabay
#12. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Metro Area
- Migration to Houston in 2014-2018: 4,629
- Migration from Houston to Chicago: 2,518 (#10 most common destination from Houston)
- Net migration: 2,111 to Houston
- Migration from Houston to Chicago: 2,518 (#10 most common destination from Houston)
- Net migration: 2,111 to Houston
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Keizers // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metro Area
- Migration to Atlanta in 2014-2018: 5,323
- Migration from Atlanta to Chicago: 3,300 (#9 most common destination from Atlanta)
- Net migration: 2,023 to Atlanta
- Migration from Atlanta to Chicago: 3,300 (#9 most common destination from Atlanta)
- Net migration: 2,023 to Atlanta
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#10. St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area
- Migration to St. Louis in 2014-2018: 5,491
- Migration from St. Louis to Chicago: 4,479 (#1 most common destination from St. Louis)
- Net migration: 1,012 to St. Louis
- Migration from St. Louis to Chicago: 4,479 (#1 most common destination from St. Louis)
- Net migration: 1,012 to St. Louis
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King of Hearts // Wikimedia
#9. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area
- Migration to New York in 2014-2018: 5,751
- Migration from New York to Chicago: 7,432 (#15 most common destination from New York)
- Net migration: 1,681 to Chicago
- Migration from New York to Chicago: 7,432 (#15 most common destination from New York)
- Net migration: 1,681 to Chicago
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Alexbaumgarner // Wikimedia
#8. Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Rockford in 2014-2018: 5,983
- Migration from Rockford to Chicago: 2,554 (#1 most common destination from Rockford)
- Net migration: 3,429 to Rockford
- Migration from Rockford to Chicago: 2,554 (#1 most common destination from Rockford)
- Net migration: 3,429 to Rockford
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Tony Webster // Wikicommons
#7. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metro Area
- Migration to Minneapolis in 2014-2018: 6,031
- Migration from Minneapolis to Chicago: 3,086 (#5 most common destination from Minneapolis)
- Net migration: 2,945 to Minneapolis
- Migration from Minneapolis to Chicago: 3,086 (#5 most common destination from Minneapolis)
- Net migration: 2,945 to Minneapolis
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Alan Botting // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Area
- Migration to Dallas in 2014-2018: 6,037
- Migration from Dallas to Chicago: 2,574 (#17 most common destination from Dallas)
- Net migration: 3,463 to Dallas
- Migration from Dallas to Chicago: 2,574 (#17 most common destination from Dallas)
- Net migration: 3,463 to Dallas
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#5. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metro Area
- Migration to Indianapolis in 2014-2018: 6,868
- Migration from Indianapolis to Chicago: 4,319 (#2 most common destination from Indianapolis)
- Net migration: 2,549 to Indianapolis
- Migration from Indianapolis to Chicago: 4,319 (#2 most common destination from Indianapolis)
- Net migration: 2,549 to Indianapolis
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BDS2006 // Wikimedia
#4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area
- Migration to Los Angeles in 2014-2018: 6,869
- Migration from Los Angeles to Chicago: 4,753 (#16 most common destination from Los Angeles)
- Net migration: 2,116 to Los Angeles
- Migration from Los Angeles to Chicago: 4,753 (#16 most common destination from Los Angeles)
- Net migration: 2,116 to Los Angeles
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Max Pixel
#3. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metro Area
- Migration to Milwaukee in 2014-2018: 7,197
- Migration from Milwaukee to Chicago: 4,122 (#2 most common destination from Milwaukee)
- Net migration: 3,075 to Milwaukee
- Migration from Milwaukee to Chicago: 4,122 (#2 most common destination from Milwaukee)
- Net migration: 3,075 to Milwaukee
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DPPed// Wikimedia
#2. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metro Area
- Migration to Phoenix in 2014-2018: 7,675
- Migration from Phoenix to Chicago: 2,587 (#14 most common destination from Phoenix)
- Net migration: 5,088 to Phoenix
- Migration from Phoenix to Chicago: 2,587 (#14 most common destination from Phoenix)
- Net migration: 5,088 to Phoenix
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Daniel Schwen // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Champaign-Urbana, IL Metro Area
- Migration to Champaign in 2014-2018: 11,042
- Migration from Champaign to Chicago: 3,826 (#1 most common destination from Champaign)
- Net migration: 7,216 to Champaign
- Migration from Champaign to Chicago: 3,826 (#1 most common destination from Champaign)
- Net migration: 7,216 to Champaign
