Busting the Myth: Who’s Actually Moving to South Dakota?

I have lived my whole life here in the middle of the USA. Born and raised in Nebraska and spent the last 20 years in South Dakota.

And for my entire life, which started in the 1970s (ugh, I'm old), I have been hearing tales of the wave of Californians that are taking over.

READ MORE: Moving to South Dakota: 4 Things This Nebraska Transplant Can’t Get Used To

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The Longstanding Myth of the California Invasion

Growing up in Husker country, every family gathering would include some uncle or another raging against all the gaul-darn people from California that are moving to the state. From the way they talked, you'd think that there was a constant stream of moving vans from the Golden State along I-80.

But, I don't remember ever meeting any Cali transplants. Never was there a new student introduced who had just come from out west. We never got that chance to make fun of some kid who wasn't used to having a locker INSIDE! Nooooooooooooooo!

READ MORE: Here are Sioux Falls' Top 5 Topics of Small Talk

Same story since I took up residence in South Dakota. The Californians are coming! has been a common topic of small talk among boring people from the Black Hills to Falls Park. While I have met some folks who moved here from the Golden West, they were mostly here because of family or a job.

So, Where Are People Moving to South Dakota From?

So, where are people coming to South Dakota from? Stacker dug into the numbers and found the top states that are sending people to South Dakota.

And, oh boy! You will not at all be surprised where people are coming from.