Yes, it's true: We like it here.
More than people living in most any other state in America, the vast majority of Minnesotans are not interested in moving elsewhere, according to a Gallup poll released this week.
The poll asked 600 adults in each state in the second half of 2013: "Regardless of whether you will move, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move to another state, or would you rather remain in your current state?"
About 25 percent of Minnesotans responded that they would like to move. States that had a smaller percentage of people who would just as soon go elsewhere are: Montana, Maine and Hawaii (23 percent); and Oregon, New Hampshire and Texas (24 percent). Along with Minnesotans, a quarter of Coloradans would like to pick up and move.
At the other end of the spectrum, the poll found that half of Illinoisans are inclined to see whether the grass is greener outside their borders. Connecticut's residents (49 percent) are nearly as infected with wanderlust.
Gallup also asked the same people how likely it is that they will move in the next 12 months. Again, Minnesotans are quite content, with 9 percent saying they are anywhere from "somewhat" to "extremely" likely to move. Residents of Maine, Iowa and Vermont come in at 8 percent, with those living in West Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania and Indiana are also at 9 percent.
States where residents are most poised to bolt in the next year: Nevada, 20 percent; and Illinois and Arizona at 19 percent.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
