Recent headlines and moving site anecdotes have suggested that people are still fleeing Oklahoma. However, a closer look at the latest migration and population statistics for 2024 and 2025 reveals a very different story.
Far from being a state people are abandoning, Oklahoma is experiencing steady population growth, driven by strong domestic in-migration and a growing reputation for affordability and opportunity.
Oklahoma’s Population Is Growing, Not Shrinking
Contrary to claims of a mass exodus, Oklahoma’s population has continued to rise in recent years. As of 2025, the state’s estimated population is 4,088,380, reflecting a 0.84% annual growth rate and ranking Oklahoma 24th nationally for population growth.
From 2022 to 2023 alone, the state added 34,553 residents, with domestic migration accounting for 23,587 of those newcomers. Since 2020, Oklahoma has gained over 80,000 residents from other states, placing it among the top 10 states for net domestic migration.
Migration Trends: Who Is Moving to Oklahoma?
The surge in Oklahoma’s population is largely due to domestic migration from other U.S. states, especially from the western half of the country. In 2023, Oklahoma had the 12th highest level of net domestic migration in the nation, with most new arrivals coming from states like California and Texas.
Between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023, Oklahoma gained an estimated 3,960 more Californians and 2,600 more Texans than it lost to those states. This trend has been consistent since the pandemic, with the state seeing a net gain of residents from 34 states since 2020.
Why Are People Moving to Oklahoma?
Several factors are driving this influx:
Affordability: Oklahoma’s lower cost of living and attainable home prices are major draws. In 2023, about 36% of new arrivals became homeowners within their first year.
Job Opportunities: The state’s expanding economy and job market are attracting both young professionals and retirees.
Quality of Life: Growing suburban hubs, more space, and strong local communities make Oklahoma appealing for families and remote workers alike.
Are People Still Leaving Oklahoma?
While every state experiences some level of out-migration, the net movement is firmly in Oklahoma’s favor. Some Oklahomans do relocate to states like Arkansas and South Carolina, but these numbers are small compared to the influx from other states. The narrative of widespread “fleeing” is not supported by current data.
Latest Moving Statistics
1.) 107,679 people moved to Oklahoma in 2023, which is an 8.6% decrease from the previous year’s 117,788 movers. However, this still represents a substantial number of new residents.
2.) The state’s net domestic migration from 2022 to 2023 was +23,587 people.
3.) Oklahoma’s total population growth from 2020 to 2023 was +94,413 people.
Conclusion
Despite persistent myths about people fleeing Oklahoma, the latest statistics paint a clear picture: Oklahoma is gaining, not losing, residents. The state’s combination of affordability, job opportunities, and quality of life continues to attract newcomers from across the country.
While the pace of in-migration slowed slightly in 2023, it remains high by historical standards, and Oklahoma’s population is on track to surpass 4.1 million in the near future. The narrative of an Oklahoma exodus simply does not align with the facts on the ground.
Source:
[1] http://www.greateroklahomacity.com/news/2025/04/01/accolade/oklahoma-ranks-among-top-states-for-inbound-migration-drawing-young-professionals-and-retirees/
[2] https://www.kansascityfed.org/oklahomacity/oklahoma-economist/from-brain-drain-to-brain-gain-oklahomas-population-on-the-rise/
[3] https://nchstats.com/oklahoma-population/
[4] https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/moving-to-oklahoma.html
[5] https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/OK
[6] https://www.cairoklahoma.com/blog/fact-checking-the-2025-state-of-the-state-address/
[7] http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/population-migration
[8] https://okpolicy.org/weekly-wonk-06-08-2025/
[9] https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/oklahoma/