ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida and Texas emerged as the U.S. states with the highest influx of new residents last year, significantly driven by newcomers from foreign countries.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s migration data released recently, approximately 45% of the nearly 634,000 individuals in Florida who reported having resided in a different state or country prior to their move hailed from abroad.

With a total population of 23 million, Florida recorded the highest number of residents declaring relocation from another area compared to other states, with Texas closely following. Among the nearly 612,000 individuals who moved to Texas from other places, around 43% were also international migrants. Texas has a larger population of 30.5 million.

The available migration statistics, however, do not specify the countries from which these new residents originated.

Priscila Coronado, who relocated to Miami from Guatemala in search of improved opportunities, expressed her contentment with her decision. “I am happy. My dream is to study, learn English and graduate with a nursing degree,” she shared. “There is no crime here, and that is an achievement.”

On the state-to-state level, New York was noted as the leading state supplying new residents to Florida, while California provided the most recent transplants to Texas.

Additionally, it is important to note that while Florida and Texas experienced population growth, they also saw residents leaving. Georgia absorbed the highest number of former residents from Florida, and California attracted the most former Texans.