15 “Blue State” Counties People Are Fleeing As Quick As They Can

chrisdorney/Shutterstock.com

Written by Lisa Bohler

Published: December 5, 2023

Share on:

Advertisement


Flag of the United States of America (American flag) blowing in the wind

Flag of the United States of America (American flag) blowing in the wind.

Politicians are considered that people leaving the blue state counties for red states will cause a shift in the way the counties, and states vote in the upcoming elections. Most of the reasons why people say they are leaving these blue states have nothing to do with the political standing of the populous, but rather with the way of life and their dreams of better lives.

Apache Arizona

This county is located in the northeastern corner of Arizona. The people vote democratic for the most part, and 99% of the population were born in Arizona.

Coconino Arizona

One of the six National Forest in Arizona is in Coconino County i. The Coconino National Forest covers 1,842,959 acres. Tourism is important to the people of Coconino County.

Greenlee Arizona

This county is 1230 miles in length and 20 miles in width. It was created in 1909. There is not an Indian Reservation in Greenlee County.

Modoc California

Wildlife is a big part of Modoc County. The county is home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons and wild horses, deer, antelope, and wild burros to name a few. The National Wildlife Refuge helps to protect these animals.

Macon County Georgia

Tyson owns a breeder farm a hatchery and a feed mill in Macon County, Georgia. The county is known is known for their relationship with chicken and their milk production. However, it lacks the diversity of employment that people crave.

Telfair County Georgia

The county of Telfair has been around since 1807. It is a poor county now, the poorest in Georgia.

Essex County, New Jersey

This county is a transportation hub. One of the largest container shipping ports is in Essex County.

San Juan, New Mexico

This county in New Mexico is rich in history and culture, especially the history of the Native American Tribes.

Kings County, New York

Coney Island, Floyd Bennett Field, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are all found in Kings County, New York. Kings County was the home of the first municipal airport in New York. The airport is now closed to air traffic, however, it is being used as part of the National Park System in the county.

Bronx County, New York

Babe Ruth became a household name and baseball legend in Bronx County. Hip-hop music got its start here. However, graffiti also got a start here.

Richmond County, New York

Staten Island is the biggest reason people recognize the name of Richmond County, New York. It is home to museums, historical buildings, and natural scenery in the many parks.

Allegany County Maryland

The scenery and the outdoor experience is the main attraction of Allegany County, Maryland. It is rich in culture and heritage and provides you the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the state.

Baltimore County Maryland

You may not realize that Baltimore County Maryland is renowned for its equestrian sports. Steeplechasing and jousting are enjoyed here. The county is also an excellent place to do some fox hunting.

Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Harvard University and a long list of Fortune 500 companies are located in Middlesex County.

Suffolk County Massachusetts

Boston is the county seat. The Boston Harbors State Park is a major attraction here. The county is also home to Boston Common and the Boston a National Historic Park.

1) Apache County, Arizona

Apache Lake, Arizona, USA

The Apache Lake is located in Apache County, Arizona

Apache County is a rural county that does not have a lot of diversity in industry. If the heat does not make residents want to leave this “Blue State” county, the lack of jobs and housing will, The Arizona wildfires changed the dynamics of the county. In 2020 Apache County had a population of 66,024, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 65,431.

2) Coconino County, Arizona

Coconino County, Arizona

The Coconino County Courthouse.

In 2020 Coconino County had a population of 145,100, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 144,60. A large number of people who leave Coconino County have just been released from the detention area and they go to other states to start over. A lack of jobs, a lack of affordable housing, and poor school systems are also reasons people give for leaving the county, the state.

3) Greenlee County, Arizona

The southern portion of the Apache National Forest is in Greenlee County.

In 2020 Grennlee County had a population of 9,561, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 9,302. Major fires that destroyed pasture lands played a role in the people leaving Greenlee. Another reason is the oppressive heat of Arizona, and people looking for cooler climates to retire in. The median age in Arizona is 35 because many of the older residents have fled.

4) Modoc County California

Clear Lake Reservoir is a reservoir in the Klamath Basin and the Modoc National Forest, in northwestern Modoc County, California.

Clear Lake Reservoir is in Modoc County California

The reasons why people are leaving this “Blue State” county seem to be a repeat of the same old song you have been hearing. Taxes are high, the cost of living is high, housing is hard to find, and people want more opportunities for a variety of jobs. People are leaving in search of a different, if not better, way of life. In 2020 Modoc County had a population of 8,763, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 8,511.

5) Macon County Georgia

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon, Georgia

Rural areas are abundant in Macon County Georgia.

Macon County residents are leaving to find more employment opportunities. Macon County produces the most milk in the state, but that does not produce the most jobs. Most people in this area own their own homes so rental houses are hard to find. There is also a lack of public transportation. In 2020 Macon County had a population of 12,081, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 11,765.

6) Telfair County Georgia

Gray Kitten Biting Money

Telfair is the poorest county in Georgia.

There are many reasons why people are leaving this “blue State” county, however, those reasons have little to do with politics. Telfair is the poorest county in Georgia. People are leaving in search of work, better lives for their families, and security. In 2020 Telfair County had a population of 12,477, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 12,354.

7) Essex County, New Jersey

jet flight travel concept stock photo. Airplane fly above amazing blue misty mountain

Newark International Airport is located in Essex County, New Jersey

The pandemic started the residents on their migration out of New Jersey County. Death rates rose to appalling numbers during the pandemic which altered the natural birth and death balance the county of Essex had known. People also decided they wanted to live in areas with fewer people and more space to breathe. In 2020 Essex County had a population of 862,782, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 849,477.

8) San Juan, New Mexico

Shiprock iin the Navajo Nation, San Juan County, New Mexico

San Juan County, New Mexico is surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

A lack of jobs, substandard housing, and poor school systems are creating a long line of people leaving this “Blue State” county for other places. When the shift from coal to cleaner energy sources caused the coal factory to close its doors, this county lost jobs. In 2020 San Juan County had a population of 121,633, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 120,418.

9) Kings County, New York

Coney Island

Coney Island is located in Kings, County New York

This “Blue State” County is losing residents to the higher than average cost of living and the high taxes of New York state, People also say the exodus is due to the aged and failing infrastructure and the outrageous competition between business owners, In 2020 King County had a population of 2,736,075, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 2,590,516.

10) Bronx County, New York

Bronx River, inside Shoelace Park, Bronx, NY. Looking south from the East shore of the river, approximately opposite 225th Street.

Shoelace Park is located in Bronx County, New York.

In 2020 Bronx County had a population of 1,472,654, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 1,463,903. The majority of the people leaving this “Blue State” for greener pastures the poor environmental quality and health concerns. People also say that housing costs are high, and the New York taxes are extremely high.

11) Richmond County, New York

Detail of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in New York City

Staten Island Ferry Terminal

The major reason why people of this “Blue State” county are getting out of Dodge is that they are growing older and moving to states better suited for retirement. New York has also seen a cost of living increase that is rising faster than salaries. Housing, childcare, and property taxes are also the reason people from Richmond County who have relocated say they left. In 2020 Richmond County had a population of 495,747, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 491,133.

12) Allegany County Maryland

Paw Paw Tunnel on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Allegany County, Maryland.

Paw Paw Tunnel is in Allegany County Maryland

The population decline in Allegany County is starting to cost the county money in the form of lost federal funds for things like transportation. Allegany is seeing a population decline because of the high cost of living, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable daycare, and people wanting to move to rural locations with lower crime rates. In 2020 Allegany County had a population of 68,115, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 67,127.

13) Baltimore County Maryland

Galloping race horses in racing competition.

Horse racing and fox hunting are favorites in Baltimore County Maryland

The main reason why so many people are fleeing Baltimore County is the high crime rate. A couple of other reasons people are getting out of this “Blue State” county are the high property taxes and the educational systems. The school systems in Baltimore County do not have impressive records of success. In 2020 Baltimore County had a population of 854,554, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 846.161.

14) Middlesex County, Massachusetts

The Harvard Memorial Hall, at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge Massachusetts in Middlesex County.

Middlesex County is the most populous county in Massachusetts. It is situated in the northeastern part of Massachusetts. The county began to see people leaving in record numbers at the beginning of the pandemic. Economic reasons are listed by other people leaving the county, and the state. Massachusetts’s “Blue State” has high housing costs and higher childcare costs. Massachusetts is also behind the times in technology jobs, having lost 2,000 in the past three years alone. In 2020 Middlesex County had a population of 1,632,002, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 1,617,105.

15) Suffolk County Massachusetts

Boston - Massachusetts, Famous Place, Freedom Trail - Boston, Meeting House, Old

Boston is the county seat of Suffolk County Massachusetts

Suffolk County is home to Boston, and people are fleeing Boston because it has the second highest rent medians. Only New Yorkers pay more for rent than the people of Boston Massachusetts. More people are working remotely so they have the freedom to move to places where the cost of living is lower. Suffolk County cannot offer the same security, low crime rates, and affordable child care as many other counties can. In 2020 Suffolk County had a population of 797,941, but in 2022 the population was reduced to 766,381.

Summary Of 15 Blue State Counties People Are Fleeing

County2020 Population2022 Population
1Apache Arizona66,02465,431
2Coconino Arizona145,100144,60
3Greenlee Arizona9,5619,302
4Modoc California8,7638,511
5Macon County Georgia12,08111,765
6TelFair County Georgia12,47712,354
7Essex, New Jersey862,782849,477
8San Juan, New Mexico121,663120,418
9Kings County, New York2,736,0752,590,516
10Bronx County, New York1,472,6541,463,903
11Richmond County, New York495,747491,133
12Allegany County Maryland68,11567,267
13Baltimore County Maryland854,554846,161
14Middlesex County, Massachusetts1,632,0021,617,105
15Suffolk County Massachusetts797,941766,381


Share this post on:
About the Author

Lisa Bohler

Lisa Bohler is a writer for A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Lisa has been writing and researching animals for over 12 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Creative Writing from Liberty University, which she earned in 2021. A resident of Texas, Lisa enjoys fishing, gardening, and caring for the animals on her small hobby farm.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?