OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — New national migration data shared by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday shows Oklahoma landing in the top tier of states for net in‑migration in 2025, with more people moving into the state than leaving, according to a map published by Visual Capitalist and circulated on social media. The graphic highlights movement from high‑cost coastal states to lower‑cost, higher‑growth markets across the interior of the country.
Reacting to the data, State Chamber President and CEO Chad Warmington said the trend reflects growing confidence in Oklahoma’s business climate.
“I think it says that people are paying attention,” Warmington said. “I think there’s a flight from high‑cost states to low‑cost states and it’s an endorsement of the policies that Oklahoma has put in place that those policies have led to the type of environment that people want to come from other states to be here.”
Warmington said Oklahoma’s next challenge is not just attracting new residents, but ensuring long‑term retention through workforce development and high‑quality job creation.
“The first part is making sure they’re wanting to come. The second part is getting them to stay,” he said. “And I think that’s what our Oklahoma Competes initiative is all about — making sure we have the talent supply and the workforce system to train those people so that they stay and that population growth continues to blossom.”
