The dynamism of migration strengthens NYC and has contributed to the City’s growth in population to an all-time high of 8,537,673 in 2016. These charts show the number of people who moved to or left NYC during each time period, according to census survey data. While NYC has seen wide variations in the volume of migrants through the decades, certain groups are more inclined to come or go. The overall or net effect of migration flows in and out of the city is referred to as net migration. Keep in mind that groups with net migration losses can see their populations grow, as migration losses are often offset by “natural increase” – the number of births exceeding deaths.
Hover over the bars to see trendlines and details for each grouping.
Until 2000, the long form census asked respondents where they lived "5 years ago." Beginning in 2006, the American Community Survey asked respondents where they lived "1 year ago." The ACS data has been adjusted to be historically comparable. The full methodology is forthcoming.
Raw data from IPUMS-USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org: 1940 1% Sample, 1980 5% State Sample, 1990 5% Sample, 2000 5% Sample, and 2010-14 ACS.
A project by NYC Department of City Planning's Population Division and NYC Planning Labs.
Report a bug