Percentage of Americans Moving at All-Time Low

Washington, DC, Nov. 16, 2011 — A new Census report shows that the percentage of Americans who are changing residences has dropped to an all-time low.

A total of 11.6% of Americans moved last year, down from 12.5% in 2009 and way down from 18.6% in 1987.

The Census report shows that geographic mobility has been declining steadily since the end of World War II, when one-fifth of all Americans regularly moved.

Much of the current drop has been due to a decrease in local moves within counties.

There’s also been a large drop in people who move longer distances — out of state — to seek out new jobs.

The Census found that people living in rental units were 4.7 times more likely to move than those who owned homes.