6 Big Reasons Why 36,000 Montanans Left For Good

Why Thousands of Montanans Are Packing Up and Leaving

A lot of the focus when it comes to the population in Montana is based around the fact of who is moving into the state.

We always worry about transplants moving into the Treasure State and changing our culture, but what about those residents who left? What are the reasons for their departure?

The Real Reasons People Are Leaving the Treasure State

Year after year, the moving company United Van Lines conducts a survey to determine which states saw an increase in population and which states saw a decrease in population.

While Montana had almost 37,000 people (36,822 to be exact) leave the state, we still saw an increase in population as an extra 5,047 people moved in under the Big Sky.

Where did these people go? Well, honestly, they went to every state in America, but we're going to highlight the top 5 states gaining new residents from Montana.

Where Are Montanans Moving? Top 5 States Taking Our Residents

#5. Arizona

Arizona gained 2,261 new residents from Montana, or 6.1%.

#4. Colorado

Montana lost 2,294 residents to Colorado, or 6.2%.

#3. Idaho

Montana sent 2,754 residents to Idaho, or 7.4%.

#2. Oregon

3,017 people left Montana for Oregon, or 8.1%

#1. Washington

With 3,372, or 9.1% of residents leaving Montana, Washington is the number one state for old Montana residents.

Shockingly, California only had 656 people leave Montana for them. Okay, maybe that's not that shocking.

But why did these people leave? What was the reasoning? Well, United Van Lines also wanted to know the answers to that question, and we've got the answers in the gallery below.