Arkansas, also known as the Natural State, is losing its appeal for many of its residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Arkansas had a net outflow of over 13,000 people between 2019 and 2020, ranking it as the 10th state with the highest percentage of population loss. Why are people leaving Arkansas, and where are they going?

Reasons for Leaving Arkansas

There are many possible factors that could explain why people are fleeing Arkansas, but some of the most common ones are:

Economic opportunities: Arkansas has one of the lowest median household incomes in the nation, at $48,952, compared to the national average of $62,843. The state also has a high poverty rate of 16.2%, compared to the national average of 10.5%. Many Arkansans may be looking for better jobs and higher wages elsewhere.

Quality of life: Arkansas ranks low on several measures of quality of life, such as health care, education, infrastructure, and crime. The state has the second-highest rate of adult obesity in the nation, at 37.4%, and the third-highest rate of adult diabetes, at 13.5%. The state also has the sixth-lowest high school graduation rate, at 86.6%, and the fourth-lowest percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, at 23.1%. Additionally, Arkansas has the fifth-highest violent crime rate, at 543.6 per 100,000 residents, and the seventh-highest property crime rate, at 2,798.7 per 100,000 residents.

Climate and natural disasters: Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, which means hot and humid summers and mild winters. However, the state is also prone to severe weather events, such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods, and droughts. Arkansas has the sixth-highest number of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles, at 5.2, and the eighth-highest number of fatalities due to tornadoes, at 0.23 per 100,000 residents. The state also experienced major flooding in 2019, which caused over $100 million in damages and affected over 500,000 acres of farmland.

Destinations for Arkansas Emigrants

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the top five states that received the most migrants from Arkansas in 2019 were:

Texas: Texas was the most popular destination for Arkansas emigrants, with over 16,000 people moving from Arkansas to Texas in 2019. Texas offers a larger and more diverse economy, lower taxes, warmer weather, and a similar culture to Arkansas. Texas also has a lower cost of living than the national average, although higher than Arkansas.

Missouri: Missouri was the second most popular destination for Arkansas emigrants, with over 7,000 people moving from Arkansas to Missouri in 2019. Missouri shares a border with Arkansas and has a similar climate and landscape. Missouri also has a lower cost of living than the national average, although higher than Arkansas. Missouri may also attract Arkansans who are looking for more urban amenities, such as in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Tennessee: Tennessee was the third most popular destination for Arkansas emigrants, with over 6,000 people moving from Arkansas to Tennessee in 2019. Tennessee also shares a border with Arkansas and has a similar climate and culture. Tennessee has a lower cost of living than the national average, although higher than Arkansas. Tennessee may also appeal to Arkansans who are interested in the music and entertainment industry, such as in Nashville and Memphis.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma was the fourth most popular destination for Arkansas emigrants, with over 5,000 people moving from Arkansas to Oklahoma in 2019. Oklahoma also shares a border with Arkansas and has a similar climate and culture. Oklahoma has a lower cost of living than the national average, although higher than Arkansas. Oklahoma may also offer more opportunities for the oil and gas industry, which is a major sector of the state’s economy.

Florida: Florida was the fifth most popular destination for Arkansas emigrants, with over 4,000 people moving from Arkansas to Florida in 2019. Florida offers a much warmer and sunnier climate than Arkansas, as well as access to beaches and oceans. Florida also has no state income tax, which may attract some Arkansans. However, Florida has a higher cost of living than the national average, and much higher than Arkansas. Florida also faces the risks of hurricanes, sea level rise, and invasive species.

Conclusion

Arkansas is facing a population decline, as more people are leaving the state than moving in. The main reasons for leaving Arkansas are economic, social, and environmental. The most popular destinations for Arkansas emigrants are Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida. These states offer some advantages over Arkansas, such as more job opportunities, lower taxes, better weather, and more entertainment options. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as higher costs of living, higher crime rates, and more natural disasters. Ultimately, the decision to move from Arkansas to another state depends on the individual’s preferences, goals, and circumstances.