Minnesota Residents Are Now Flocking to These States

The North Star State may still be home to our famous 10,000 lakes, plus snow, and plenty of hometown pride, but more residents are deciding to start fresh somewhere else. New data shows exactly where they're heading, and one nearby state is attracting more former Minnesotans than anywhere else.

If you thought Minnesota was losing residents to its neighboring states and other across the country, you're not wrong. The hardworking crew over at the Minnesota State Demographic Center (MSDC) sets out to answer the question of whether Minnesota is losing or gaining residents every year. And the latest answer might surprise you. Or not.

Why Minnesota Continues to Lose Residents

According to the MSDC's most recent survey, An Analysis of Migration Trends and Patterns in Minnesota, the results show that more people *are* leaving the North Star State than are moving here.

For the past 20 years, Minnesota has consistently lost residents on net to other U.S. states. After a brief period of much larger net outflows during the COVID-19 pandemic, losses moderated in 2023.

The Top States Minnesotans Are Moving To in 2026

The report also said, though, that the Gopher State wasn't alone in seeing more people leave the state than move to it. It noted that the majority of midwestern and northeastern states, where winters are usually cold and snowy, experienced 'net outflows of people,' also noting that other states experienced 'much higher levels of net out-migration than Minnesota does,' the report said.

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So just which places are those former Minnesotans packing up and moving to? That's where moving and storage company U-Haul, and its 2025 Midyear Migration Trends survey, comes in handy. U-Haul notes that around half of all residential moves in the U.S. happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and it has found the following five states are the most popular with people leaving the North Star State:

Why Illinois, Arizona and Wisconsin Are Popular Choices

#1) Illinois - The state of Illinois is a diverse state known for its location in the Midwest along Lake Michigan, rich cultural heritage, and expansive farmland. It's also the state more Minnesotans are moving to, especially Chicago.

#2) Arizona - The state of Arizona is famous for its stunning desert landscapes, warm climate, and iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. It's also known for its largest city, Phoenix, which is attracting many Minnesotans on the move in 2025.

#3) North Dakota - The state of North Dakota is known for its vast plains, strong agricultural roots, and tight-knit communities. It's also known for being home to the city of Fargo, home to North Dakota State University, and is now the third most popular state that Minnesotans are moving to.

#4) Wisconsin - America's Dairyland, Minnesota's longtime neighboring state to the east, is home to the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers, as well as being a mecca for cheese and beer. Its largest city, Milwaukee, is also the reason it's becoming a state more Minnesotans are seeking out.

#5) Iowa - Minnesota's neighbor to the south, the state of Iowa is known for its rolling farmland, friendly small towns, and a strong sense of Midwestern hospitality. The largest city of Des Moines is also a top-five city for Minnesotans to move to in 2025.