America on the move

Interesting facts about moving


 
  • The average American moves 12 times in his or her lifetime. (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • While the moving rate in America has not changed much over the past several years –an estimated 43 million Americans relocate annually – surveys show that people have been moving longer distances every year since 1998. (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! The average size of a Mayflower interstate shipment is 6,900 pounds approximately equivalent to six rooms full of appliances or the combined weight of five lions, four tigers and five bears. (Mayflower Transit)
  • The typical moving customer is a married couple between the ages 25 and 44, with one or two children between the ages of 2 and 11. (Mayflower Transit)
  • The average distance of a Mayflower move is 1,100 miles, or approximately the distance from New York City to Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Almost half of all moves occur between the beginning of May and Labor Day. (American Moving and Storage Association)
  • Approximately 40 percent of all moves are job-related, 42 percent are personal moves and 18 percent are military or government relocations. (American Moving and Storage Association)
  • An estimated 13 million children up to age 19 move each year. The number of students enrolled in elementary and high school matches the record set in 1979 when “baby boom” children were attending school. (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Moving declines with age: 35 percent of people in their 20s move in a given year, while only 5 percent of those 65 and older do. (U.S. Census Bureau)
  • Moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death and divorce. (Employee Relocation Council)