Since Tim Walz became governor, Minnesota has faced an exodus of residents fleeing the state, taking nearly $5 billion of household income with them, according to data reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon.
On net, nearly 46,000 Minnesotans left between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, according to the most recently available Census data, with many fleeing Walz’s major tax increases for the income tax-free states of Florida and Texas. The Land of 10,000 Lakes lost more than 19,000 in 2022 alone, the biggest drop in at least 30 years.
It’s not clear what led to the exodus, but in addition to tax surges, spending increases, and other progressive initiatives, Minnesota, under Walz’s watch, has faced a spike in violent crime and a drop in academic achievement. The downward domestic migration trend became apparent soon after Walz—who was recently tapped as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate—became governor.