About 120 million (46 percent) of the nation's population that was 5 years old and over in 2000 lived in a different home than they did in 1995, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Twenty-five percent moved within the same county, 10 percent between counties in the same state and 8 percent between states; 3 percent had moved from abroad.

    According to the Census 2000 Brief, Geographical Mobility: 1995 to 2000 [PDF], Nevada led all states in the mobility of its population — 63 percent were movers. Colorado and Arizona followed at 56 percent each. California, Arizona and Nevada had the highest proportion of people who changed residences within the same county, about 31 percent each.

    In 2000, about 60 percent of the U.S. population lived in the state where they were born. Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan had the highest proportion of residents who lived in the state where they were born (79 percent, 78 percent and 75 percent) while Nevada, Florida and Arizona had the lowest (21 percent, 33 percent and 35 percent).

    The metropolitan statistical areas of Jacksonville, N.C., and Bryan-College Station, Texas, led metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of movers. Jacksonville has many military personnel from nearby Camp LeJeune and College Station is home to Texas A&M University. High proportions of in-migrants also were seen in other metropolitan areas where colleges or universities are located.

    The report examines the moving patterns of the population 5 years old and over for the nation, regions, states (including Puerto Rico), counties and selected metropolitan areas. In addition, it shows moving rates and types of moves by race and Hispanic origin.

    The data are based on responses from the sample of households that received the census long form, about 1-in-6 nationally. They are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.