Allied Van Lines Announces 44th Annual Magnet States Report

CHICAGO, Jan. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas may be holding on to the Magnet State title, but the Allied Van Lines' 44^th Annual Magnet States Report released today shows California enjoying a position on the inbound list after more than a decade on the outbound.    

For the seventh year in a row, Texas eclipsed every other state and took the lead as the No. 1 magnet state in 2011 based on Allied's report, which tracks U.S. migration patterns. 

Texas realized the highest net relocation gain (inbound moves minus outbound moves performed by Allied Van Lines, one of the world's largest moving companies) but its momentum is slowing. In 2009, Texas attracted nearly 2,000 families; in 2010, that number dropped to 1,640. Last year, the margin narrowed again as its total net gain dropped again to 1,556.

Florida moved higher in the rankings with a net gain of 809 moves, capturing second place from last year's title holder, Colorado. South Carolina, Colorado and newcomer Oregon rounded out the top five states.  

The biggest surprise on the inbound list clocks in at number seven – California. With about a decade on the outbound list (and as the No. 1 outbound state in 2006 and 2004), California has made a strong leap to the inbound list.

"It's not surprising that California has made such a dramatic turnaround and has once again become a strong inbound state," said Brook Taylor, Deputy Director at the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. "California has seen an increase in company expansions, resulting in strong overall job growth. In the last year, one out of every 6 new jobs created in the U.S. was created in California which is more than any other state in the nation."

Allied Van Lines agents have seen the shift as well.  "People are realizing that living in California is finally affordable and they're jumping on that bandwagon.  We've had customers that we've moved out of state that have called us back to say, 'I want to come home,'" said Linda Oakley, vice president of Atlas Transfer and Storage, an Allied Van Lines agent. 

California also secured its title once again as "most mobile state," as well, with more than 12,000 interstate moves with the highest volume of inbound and outbound shipments by international mover Allied Van Lines.

"2011 is certainly a turning point year for California," said Bill Lyon, Vice President and General Manager, Allied Van Lines.  "Overall, Allied Van Lines has seen modest growth this year, and we see the news from California as a bellwether for positive movement in the future for states that have seen hard times in this economy." 

Outbound States

Illinois usurped the title of top outbound state with the highest net relocation losses (more outbound than inbound shipments), followed by Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and New York – all part of the top 5 outbound states in 2010.   Illinois lost ground this year, with a net loss of 1,198 moves out of state, versus 2010 losses of 1,050.  Michigan, the No. 1 outbound state in 2010, had a net loss of 900 moves, an improvement over last year's 1,149 outbound moves. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York rounded out the bottom five, with net relocation losses of 940, 841 and 669, respectively.

About Allied Van Lines

Established in 1928, Allied Van Lines, with more than 400 agent locations in North America, is an experienced leader in household goods moving and specialized transportation services. Allied is one of the world's largest moving companies and one of the established global brands of SIRVA Inc., a leader in providing relocation services to corporations, consumers and governments around the world. For more information about Allied Van Lines, visit http://www.allied.com. Allied Van Lines, Inc., U.S. DOT No. 076235

About SIRVA, Inc.

SIRVA, Inc. is a leading provider of relocation solutions to a well-established and diverse customer base around the world. The Company handles all aspects of relocation, including home purchase and home sale services, household goods moving, mortgage services, and home closing and settlement services. SIRVA conducts more than 300,000 relocations per year, transferring corporate and government employees in addition to individual consumers. SIRVA's well-recognized brands include Allied, Allied International, Allied Pickfords, Allied Special Products, DJK Residential, Global, northAmerican, northAmerican International, SIRVA Mortgage, SIRVA Move Management, SIRVA Relocation and SIRVA Settlement. More information about SIRVA can be found on the Company's Web site at http://www.sirva.com.

SOURCE Allied Van Lines