For all of Indiana’s attempts to promote economic development, more people are still moving out of it than into it.

That’s the conclusion of Atlas Van Lines’ 2007 Migration Patterns study.

“Atlas’ migration study reflects the movement of the nation and identifies thriving hot spots in America,” Greg Hoover, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Atlas World Group, said in a statement released on Friday. “Overall, the number of household goods moves was down for the industry, as the post-Katrina exodus from Louisiana into the other states has leveled off and the housing market continued to stagnate. Real estate costs undoubtedly influenced migration patterns this year as well.”

According to the study, Indiana had the third-highest percentage of outbound residents compared to inbound ones of any state in the union. Ohio had the highest percentage of outbound traffic. Washington, D.C., meanwhile had the highest percentage of inbound traffic for the second straight year.

Some findings:

•The loss of jobs in the Rust Belt states continues to push Northern Midwesterners into other areas of the country. Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio all recorded significantly more traffic heading out of state than into it, with Ohio having the highest percentage nationally. Where are all the Buckeyes going? Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Georgia.

•Eight of the 13 areas classified as inbound are located west of the Mississippi River. Four are west of the Rocky Mountains. For the first time since 1995, Washington is an inbound state, joining Alaska, Nevada, and Oregon. Washington and Alaska, respectively, recorded the second- and third-highest percentages of inbound traffic. The number of recorded moves for California was the lowest in 10 years.

•In the Northeast the most popular state is New Hampshire, which was recorded as an inbound state in 2007 for the seventh time in the last 10 years. The least poplar states are New York and New Jersey, which had the second- and fourth-highest outbound percentages respectively.

Atlas Van Lines is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind., company which posted record revenues of $986 million in 2006.

Posted 1/8/2008