Always the leader in Trends.. here is another area..
A finer-grained regional analysis reveals that the main current of migration out of California in the past decade has flowed eastward across the Colorado River, reversing the storied passages of the Dust Bowl era.
Southern California had about 55 percent of the stateÂ’s population in 2000 but accounted for about 65 percent of the net out-migration in the decade that followed.
More than 70 percent of the stateÂ’s net migration to Texas came from CaliforniaÂ’s south.
A third factor is state and local governmentsÂ’ constant fiscal instability, which sends at least two discouraging messages to businesses and individuals.
One is that they cannot count on state and local governments to
provide essential services—much less, tax breaks or other incentives.
Second, chronically out-of-balance budgets can be seen as
tax hikes waiting to happen.
States with low unemployment rates, such as Texas, are drawing people from California, whose rate is above the national average.
Taxation also appears to be a factor, especially as it contributes to the business climate and, in turn, jobs.
Most of the destination states
favored by Californians have lower taxes. States that have gained the most at CaliforniaÂ’s expense are rated as having better business climates.
The data suggest that many cost drivers—
taxes, regulations, the high price of housing and commercial real estate, costly electricity, union power, and high labor costs—are prompting businesses to locate outside California, thus helping to drive the exodus.
Civic Report 71 | The Great California Exodus: A Closer Look
WOW... taxes too high? Move!