https://dx.doi.org/10.34051/p/2025.01">
 

Abstract

In this brief, authors Kenneth Johnson and Tyrus Parker report that during the pandemic era from 2020 to 2022 New Hampshire gained both people and income from migration to the state. The state's net migration gain of 26,000 was a significant increase from the net migration gain of 17,000 in the three years prior to the pandemic. Net migration gains to New Hampshire increased because fewer people left the state, and in-migration from other states grew modestly.

People were not the only thing the state gained from migration. Net income gains from migration increased substantially during the pandemic because more high-income households moved to New Hampshire. In the three years prior to the pandemic, migrants to New Hampshire collectively earned $1.1 billion more than those who left. Between 2020 and 2022, this figure tripled to $3.3 billion as New Hampshire attracted higher-income migrants. Neighboring states Maine and Vermont also experienced recent migration and income gains.

A key question is whether domestic migration to New Hampshire will continue. Recent Census Bureau data suggest that the state’s domestic migration gain diminished between July 2023 and July 2024. Whether this represents a short-term fluctuation, or a long-term change, remains to be seen. What our research clearly demonstrates is the critical role that migration plays in New Hampshire’s demographic and economic future.

Department

Carsey School of Public Policy

Publication Date

Winter 1-21-2025

Series

National Issue Brief No. 187

Publisher

Durham, N.H. : Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire

Document Type

Article

Rights

© 2025. University of New Hampshire. All rights reserved.

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