BadAtUsernames9514 t1_jefjxgh wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:19 PM

Reply to comment by CitizenTed in These NJ counties saw the largest population drop as residents migrate to other areas by madrid987

There's no empirical evidence supporting this assertion. New Jersey's labor force and employment is the highest it's ever been, and continuing to grow, according to the latest BLS numbers.

CitizenTed t1_jefnazj wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:42 PM

"Employment" isn't the indicator. Affordability is. If you are employed but can't afford shelter, you move.

It's not that NJ is among the highest out-move states. It's actually #1 according to the US Census Bureau.

This is tied directly to housing affordability, as described here by the Rutgers State Policy lab.

On the west coast, the problem is reaching crisis levels. In my small city, there are very few people under 30 who don't rent rooms and crowd into apartments. At this point, living on your own is considered a luxury only the upper-middle class and wealthy can afford. I make twice the median wage in my city and I can afford my own place only because I've been in my apartment so long the rent is affordable. I could theoretically qualify for another 1bd apartment (typically in the $2000 range) but it would be a strain on my finances and make my life more precarious. I'd probably move, but not back to NJ.

BadAtUsernames9514 t1_jefosdy wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:51 PM

If you're employed, can't afford housing and move out, you're no longer counted in the labor force of the state you left.

Do people get priced out of New Jersey? Yes. Is it a torrential flood that's leading to a hemorrhaging population? The 2020 census showed that was not the case, and I've seen little evidence indicating the estimates of the last few years are any more reliable.