Texas gained the most people from other states
Years with the most2016, 2020, 2022, 2024
55 R45 D
Years with the fewest2012, 2014, 2018, 2026
55 R45 D
The vote came out about the same either way.
Texas surplus ticker$33.14 billion
The general budget balance plus the Rainy Day Fund, as projected by the state for the end of the budget on Aug. 31, 2027. See where it's going
Left over in the general budget: $4.66 billionRainy Day Fund: $28.48 billionTax collections above forecast, fiscal 2026: $1.60 billionMoving to the State Highway Fund: $2.69 billionProposed $1,500 household checks: about $17 billionTexas Comptroller Huffines Reports Net State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $4.8 Billion in OctoberComptroller Huffines Distributes $1.3 Billion in Net Local Sales Tax Collected in September to Texas CommunitiesTexas Comptroller Huffines Reports State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $4.4 Billion in SeptemberTexas Comptroller Huffines Releases 2026–28 Statewide Taxable Property Value EstimatesTexas Comptroller Huffines Announces State Revenue for Fiscal 2026Comptroller Huffines Distributes $1.3 Billion in Monthly Sales Tax Revenue to Local Governments, Continues Call for Property Tax Relief
Moved to Texas, 2024556,000from other states
Moved out of Texas, 2024483,000to other states
Net gain, 202473,000more came than left
2026 Governor706,000Gina Hinojosa's lead so far
Today's number
2014 primaries: 1,358,074 Republican voters and 560,033 Democratic voters.
From: Texas Secretary of State. A new one every day.
Step 1 Moved to Texas, 2012 to now
Solid line: people who moved to Texas. Dashed line: people who left. Tap a year to see the numbers.
Numbers are rounded. Through 2023 they come from federal tax returns. 2024 comes from a Census survey.
| Year | Moved to Texas | Moved out | Net gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 556,000 | 483,000 | 73,000 |
| 2023 | 553,000 | 441,000 | 112,000 |
| 2022 | 614,000 | 434,000 | 181,000 |
| 2021 | 596,000 | 421,000 | 175,000 |
| 2020 | 562,000 | 428,000 | 133,000 |
| 2019 | 505,000 | 394,000 | 111,000 |
| 2018 | 505,000 | 428,000 | 77,000 |
| 2017 | 659,000 | 561,000 | 98,000 |
| 2016 | 509,000 | 454,000 | 55,000 |
| 2015 | 425,000 | 366,000 | 59,000 |
| 2014 | 624,000 | 395,000 | 229,000 |
| 2013 | 572,000 | 424,000 | 148,000 |
| 2012 | 513,000 | 395,000 | 118,000 |
How old are the people moving in?
55 of every 100
people Texas gained from other states were 25 to 44. Only 28 of every 100 Texans are that age.
Texas Demographic Center, 2016-202041 of every 100
adults moving to Texas in the latest year were Gen X, about ages 46 to 61.
HireAHelper moving data, June 2024 to May 202536 of every 100
adults moving to Texas in that year were Millennials, about ages 29 to 44.
HireAHelper moving data, June 2024 to May 2025Step 2 Moves next to elections
Top chart: how many more people Texas gained from other states than it lost, in the two years up to each election. Bottom chart: out of every 100 votes for the two big parties, how many each party got. Read straight down.
People Texas gained from other states
Votes out of every 100
Each election uses its biggest race: President or Governor. 2026 uses the Governor race while votes are still being counted. 2026 uses the latest two years of moving numbers.
2026 lead so far706,000
People gained from other states, 2020 to 2025760,000
See the numbers
| Election | Race | Republican votes | Democrat votes | Out of 100 | Gained from states | Gained from abroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Governor | 4,524,955 | 5,230,929 | 46 R, 54 D | 153,000 | 522,000 |
| 2024 | President | 6,393,597 | 4,835,250 | 57 R, 43 D | 275,000 | 607,000 |
| 2022 | Governor | 4,437,099 | 3,553,656 | 56 R, 44 D | 418,000 | 242,000 |
| 2020 | President | 5,890,347 | 5,259,126 | 53 R, 47 D | 284,000 | 121,000 |
| 2018 | Governor | 4,656,196 | 3,546,615 | 57 R, 43 D | 169,000 | 165,000 |
| 2016 | President | 4,685,047 | 3,877,868 | 55 R, 45 D | 293,000 | 228,000 |
| 2014 | Governor | 2,796,547 | 1,835,596 | 60 R, 40 D | 267,000 | 186,000 |
| 2012 | President | 4,569,843 | 3,308,124 | 58 R, 42 D | 262,000 | 154,000 |
Step 3 Did the moves match the vote?
We split the elections in half and compared the years with the most against the years with the fewest. Each bar shows how many of every 100 votes went to each party.
The most people moved to Texas
Years with the most2014, 2020, 2022
56 R44 D
Years with the fewest2012, 2016, 2018
56 R44 D
The vote came out about the same either way.
The most people moved out of Texas
Years with the most2016, 2020, 2022
54 R46 D
Years with the fewest2012, 2014, 2018
58 R42 D
In the years when the most people moved out of Texas, Democrats did 4 votes better out of every 100.
Texas gained the most people from other countries
Years with the most2016, 2022, 2024, 2026
53 R47 D
Years with the fewest2012, 2014, 2018, 2020
57 R43 D
In the years when Texas gained the most people from other countries, Democrats did 4 votes better out of every 100.
The number of registered voters grew the most
Years with the most2016, 2020, 2024
55 R45 D
Years with the fewest2014, 2018, 2022
58 R42 D
In the years when the number of registered voters grew the most, Democrats did 3 votes better out of every 100.
The biggest share of primary voters took a Democratic ballot
Years with the most2018, 2020, 2022, 2026
53 R47 D
Years with the fewest2012, 2014, 2016, 2024
58 R42 D
In the years when the biggest share of primary voters took a Democratic ballot, Democrats did 5 votes better out of every 100.
How each age group voted
From election-day voter polls. Each bar shows how many of every 100 voters that age picked each party.
Age 18-29
2024 President
48 R50 D
2026 Senate
20 R79 D
Democrats gained 29 of every 100. This age was 13 of every 100 voters in 2026.
Age 30-44
2024 President
55 R44 D
2026 Senate
34 R64 D
Democrats gained 20 of every 100. This age was 22 of every 100 voters in 2026.
Age 45-64
2024 President
58 R41 D
2026 Senate
50 R48 D
Democrats gained 7 of every 100. This age was 35 of every 100 voters in 2026.
Age 65 and over
2024 President
59 R40 D
2026 Senate
56 R43 D
Democrats gained 3 of every 100. This age was 29 of every 100 voters in 2026.
The biggest swing was the youngest voters
Out of every 100 voters each age, from 2024 to 2026. The thick line is ages 18 to 29.
Voted Democrat
Voted Republican
What that vote backed
What the winners said and did, with the date and source on every line. The red line under each topic is the other side.
Free money
Hinojosa
A one-time $1,500 check to every Texas household, about $17 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. The Legislature has to pass it. 2026 campaign
Other side
Abbott ran on ending school property taxes for homeowners. Source
Legal weed
Talarico
"In the Senate, I'll support legalizing marijuana for adults—regulating and imposing taxes on its sales." Oct. 2026
Goodwin
Opposed the THC ban and backed bills to expand medical cannabis and reduce marijuana possession penalties. Oct. 2026
Hinojosa
Coauthored bills to broaden medical marijuana and decriminalize low-level possession. Has not endorsed full adult legalization. 2017 to 2026
Other side
Abbott has never endorsed recreational marijuana. He vetoed a THC ban in 2025. Source
Border and ICE
Talarico
"We need Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this country, but that's not what we're seeing." Earlier he said he wanted to "tear down this secret police force." Oct. and Feb. 2026
Talarico
"ICE should be deporting gang members, not small business owners." July 2026
Hinojosa
"I want a secure border, but what is happening with these ICE raids is making us less secure, not more." She also said she would secure the border, "not waste working Texans' money on political theater." Oct. 2026
Other side
Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021 and spent more than $11 billion on it. Source
Trans issues
Talarico
"Modern science obviously recognizes that there are many more than two biological sexes; in fact, there are six." In 2026: "There are not six sexes, there are two." 2021, then Sept. 2026
Talarico
Said "God is non-binary" on the Texas House floor while opposing a sports bill. Later called the line "provocative." 2021
Talarico
Asked on a podcast what he loves besides family and friends: "the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state capitol to advocate for their humanity." Rep. Brandon Gill called the answer "creepy." 2023
Talarico
On a parent refusing a child's gender identity: "whether or not we label it with the term abuse, it's abusive for sure." His campaign says he supports parents' decisions. 2019
Talarico
Said Texas's ban on gender treatments for minors "infuriates me." He has also said, "I oppose gender-reassignment surgeries for minors." 2026
Talarico
On trans athletes in 2021: "Some things are more important than perfectly fair competition in sports." In 2026: "I will oppose trans athletes playing in girls' sports if it risks safety or fairness." 2021, then Sept. 2026
Hinojosa
Voted against the ban on gender treatments for minors and against the law barring school staff from helping students socially transition. Opposed House Bill 1106 on parents who refuse to affirm a child. 2023 to 2025
Other side
Abbott signed the ban on gender treatments for minors and the limits on trans athletes. Source
The bill for the checks
$1,500 checks: about $17 billion
Left: about $11.5 billion
Step 4 The party numbers
Texans don't pick a party when they register. The official party count is how many people voted in each party's primary.
2026 numbers are rounded.
Total registered voters in Texas
See the numbers
| Year | Republican primary | Democratic primary | Registered voters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,160,000 | 2,300,000 | 19,000,000+ |
| 2024 | 2,323,019 | 982,069 | 18,623,931 |
| 2022 | 1,954,172 | 1,075,601 | 17,672,143 |
| 2020 | 2,017,167 | 2,094,428 | 16,955,519 |
| 2018 | 1,549,573 | 1,068,463 | 15,793,257 |
| 2016 | 2,836,488 | 1,435,895 | 15,101,087 |
| 2014 | 1,358,074 | 560,033 | 14,025,441 |
| 2012 | 1,449,477 | 590,164 | 13,646,226 |
Who took which primary ballot, by age, 2024
18-2474,000 voters
60 R40 D
25-34180,000 voters
58 R42 D
35-44325,000 voters
65 R35 D
45-54458,000 voters
69 R31 D
55-64697,000 voters
72 R28 D
65 and over1,677,000 voters
69 R31 D
Who showed up, by age, November 2024
18-24821,000 voted
46 of 100
25-341,578,000 voted
46 of 100
35-441,903,000 voted
58 of 100
45-541,934,000 voted
66 of 100
55-642,009,000 voted
71 of 100
65 and over3,204,000 voted
73 of 100
Step 5 Every statewide race
Every race we track. The bar shows who got how many of every 100 votes.
| Year | Office | Republican | Democrat | Out of 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | U.S. Senate | Ken Paxton 4,250,166 | James Talarico 5,446,309 | 44 R, 56 D, still counting |
| 2026 | Governor | Greg Abbott 4,524,955 | Gina Hinojosa 5,230,929 | 46 R, 54 D, still counting |
| 2024 | U.S. Senate | Ted Cruz 5,990,741 | Colin Allred 5,031,249 | 54 R, 46 D |
| 2024 | President | Donald Trump 6,393,597 | Kamala Harris 4,835,250 | 57 R, 43 D |
| 2022 | Railroad Commissioner | Wayne Christian 4,401,187 | Luke Warford 3,222,305 | 58 R, 42 D |
| 2022 | Lieutenant Governor | Dan Patrick 4,317,692 | Mike Collier 3,492,544 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2022 | Land Commissioner | Dawn Buckingham 4,463,452 | Jay Kleberg 3,350,291 | 57 R, 43 D |
| 2022 | Comptroller | Glenn Hegar 4,496,319 | Janet Dudding 3,265,069 | 58 R, 42 D |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Ken Paxton 4,278,986 | Rochelle Garza 3,497,267 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2022 | Agriculture Commissioner | Sid Miller 4,480,186 | Susan Hays 3,473,603 | 56 R, 44 D |
| 2022 | Governor | Greg Abbott 4,437,099 | Beto O'Rourke 3,553,656 | 56 R, 44 D |
| 2020 | U.S. Senate | John Cornyn 5,962,983 | MJ Hegar 4,889,384 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2020 | President | Donald Trump 5,890,347 | Joe Biden 5,259,126 | 53 R, 47 D |
| 2018 | Railroad Commissioner | Christi Craddick 4,376,729 | Roman McAllen 3,612,130 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2018 | Lieutenant Governor | Dan Patrick 4,260,990 | Mike Collier 3,860,865 | 52 R, 48 D |
| 2018 | Land Commissioner | George P. Bush 4,435,202 | Miguel Suazo 3,567,927 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2018 | Comptroller | Glenn Hegar 4,376,828 | Joi Chevalier 3,570,693 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Ken Paxton 4,193,207 | Justin Nelson 3,898,098 | 52 R, 48 D |
| 2018 | Agriculture Commissioner | Sid Miller 4,221,527 | Kim Olson 3,822,137 | 52 R, 48 D |
| 2018 | U.S. Senate | Ted Cruz 4,260,553 | Beto O'Rourke 4,045,632 | 51 R, 49 D |
| 2018 | Governor | Greg Abbott 4,656,196 | Lupe Valdez 3,546,615 | 57 R, 43 D |
| 2016 | President | Donald Trump 4,685,047 | Hillary Clinton 3,877,868 | 55 R, 45 D |
| 2014 | Railroad Commissioner | Ryan Sitton 2,679,537 | Steve Brown 1,679,658 | 61 R, 39 D |
| 2014 | Lieutenant Governor | Dan Patrick 2,718,406 | Leticia Van de Putte 1,810,720 | 60 R, 40 D |
| 2014 | Land Commissioner | George P. Bush 2,821,359 | John Cook 1,641,858 | 63 R, 37 D |
| 2014 | Comptroller | Glenn Hegar 2,692,803 | Mike Collier 1,739,308 | 61 R, 39 D |
| 2014 | Attorney General | Ken Paxton 2,742,646 | Sam Houston 1,773,108 | 61 R, 39 D |
| 2014 | Agriculture Commissioner | Sid Miller 2,693,466 | Jim Hogan 1,694,059 | 61 R, 39 D |
| 2014 | U.S. Senate | John Cornyn 2,861,531 | David Alameel 1,597,387 | 64 R, 36 D |
| 2014 | Governor | Greg Abbott 2,796,547 | Wendy Davis 1,835,596 | 60 R, 40 D |
| 2012 | U.S. Senate | Ted Cruz 4,440,137 | Paul Sadler 3,194,927 | 58 R, 42 D |
| 2012 | President | Mitt Romney 4,569,843 | Barack Obama 3,308,124 | 58 R, 42 D |
Step 6 Where the surplus is going
The state's latest estimate leaves $4.66 billion in the general budget and $28.48 billion in the Rainy Day Fund by Aug. 31, 2027. The Legislature decides what happens to it in January. Spending the Rainy Day Fund on something like this takes two-thirds of the House and Senate.
The Rainy Day Fund if the $1,500 household checks pass
$1,500 checks: about $17 billion
Left: about $11.5 billion
The state's minimum balance for the fund in 2026-27 is $12.4 billion. The governor-elect's plan puts what's left at about $10 billion, counted from a fund of about $27 billion.
Highways: $2.69 billion
Oil and gas tax money goes to the State Highway Fund this month. The Rainy Day Fund is over its cap, so its share stays in the general budget.
$1,500 per household: about $17 billion
One-time checks from the Rainy Day Fund. The Legislature has to pass it.
Texas Cares: no amount given
A one-time Rainy Day Fund payment to start a Lone Star Preferred coverage option.
School district debts: no amount given
Paying down debt for districts running deficits, on top of the checks. The comptroller's race was still being counted.
Local property taxes: no amount given
Using the fund to push down local property taxes.
End school property taxes: no amount given
His campaign plan for homeowners. It would need voters to approve a constitutional amendment, and the state would have to replace billions in lost revenue.
Latest from the Comptroller
- Texas Comptroller Huffines Reports Net State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $4.8 Billion in OctoberNov 2, 2026
- Comptroller Huffines Distributes $1.3 Billion in Net Local Sales Tax Collected in September to Texas CommunitiesOct 8, 2026
- Texas Comptroller Huffines Reports State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $4.4 Billion in SeptemberOct 1, 2026
- Texas Comptroller Huffines Releases 2026–28 Statewide Taxable Property Value EstimatesSep 30, 2026
- Texas Comptroller Huffines Announces State Revenue for Fiscal 2026Sep 11, 2026
- Comptroller Huffines Distributes $1.3 Billion in Monthly Sales Tax Revenue to Local Governments, Continues Call for Property Tax ReliefSep 10, 2026
Step 7 Said then, says now
Politicians in both parties who changed position, with the dates and the source. It shows who moved. It doesn't list every change anyone ever made.
James Talarico Democrat · How many sexes
Then
2021: "there are many more than two biological sexes; in fact, there are six."
Now
Sept. 2026: "There are not six sexes, there are two."
James Talarico Democrat · Trans athletes
Then
2021: "Some things are more important than perfectly fair competition in sports."
Now
Sept. 2026: "I will oppose trans athletes playing in girls' sports if it risks safety or fairness."
James Talarico Democrat · ICE
Then
Feb. 2026: Said he wanted to "tear down this secret police force."
Now
Oct. 2026: "We need Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this country."
James Talarico Democrat · Guns
Then
2024: "You can't be the party of family and love your guns more than our kids."
Now
June 2026: Called himself "a believer in the Second Amendment."
Gina Hinojosa Democrat · THC
Then
2025: Voted yes on the original ban on THC hemp products.
Now
After the veto: "Let me get this straight, so I'm supposed to show up for a special session this summer to ban THC?" In 2026 she was listed as a Texas hemp supporter.
Greg Abbott Republican · Data centers
Then
Earlier: Called Texas the "epicenter of AI development."
Now
Aug. 2026: Paused new data centers from connecting to the grid and said the companies "basically dug their own grave."
Greg Abbott Republican · THC
Then
June 2025: Vetoed the bill banning THC hemp products and proposed rules like alcohol.
Now
July 2025: Backed banning products that cause a high.
Ken Paxton Republican · Data center tax break
Then
2013: Texas Democrats say he voted for the sales tax exemption in the State Senate.
Now
Aug. 2026: Backed repealing that exemption in his "Texas First Data Center Plan."
John Cornyn Republican · Senate filibuster
Then
Before 2026: Long a supporter of the filibuster.
Now
March 2026: "I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary." He called it "an evolution of my own thinking."
Moving and voting stories
Texas stories on moves, population and elections, pulled in every hour. Each one is dated by its publisher and links to the original.
- Gov.-elect Hinojosa wants to expand Medicaid in Texas. An executive order won’t make that happen.The Texas Tribune, Nov 9, 2026
- Texas officials acknowledge problems with voter registration system, will work with locals on a fixThe Texas Tribune, Nov 7, 2026
- How Texas’ school voucher program could change under Gov.-elect Gina HinojosaThe Texas Tribune, Nov 7, 2026
- Justice Department charges 63 individuals for election-related crimes; 5 in TexasKXAN Austin, Nov 7, 2026
- Texas Secretary of State's office to audit voter registration system after glitchesSan Antonio Express-News, Nov 6, 2026
- Did Californians moving to Texas help usher in a blue wave?Dallas News, Nov 6, 2026
- El Paso runoff voter registration deadline nears; Texas appeals DNA testing order in 1987 killingsEl Paso Matters, Nov 6, 2026
- ICE Under Fire After 4-Year-Old Boy Is Taken With His Mum and Allegedly Moved to Texas Despite Judge's OrderInternational Business Times UK, Nov 6, 2026
- How did voter turnout change in Austin-area counties?Austin American-Statesman, Nov 6, 2026
- Can Texas Democrats reverse Abbott’s immigration crackdown?The Texas Tribune, Nov 6, 2026
- Surge in voter turnout in urban, border counties carried Texas blue waveKVII, Nov 5, 2026
- How Texas Democrats pulled off their historic election upsetThe Texas Tribune, Nov 5, 2026
From Local Pros
Where every number comes from
- IRS state-to-state migration files: people moving in and out.
- Census population estimates: net gains from other states and countries.
- Census state-to-state tables, as reported by Texas REALTORS: the latest yearly count.
- Texas Secretary of State: registered voters, turnout and primary voters.
- Every line in "What that vote backed" links its own source.
- ABC News 2026 and 2024 voter polls: how each age group voted.
- Transparency USA turnout tracker: voters and primary ballots by age.
- Texas Demographic Center and HireAHelper: ages of people moving in.
- Texas Comptroller: the surplus, Rainy Day Fund and revenue numbers.
- Texas Tribune, The Texan, KPRC and KUT: the spending proposals.
- Election results come from published statewide tables. Each row in the data feed names its source and status.
Last hourly check: Nov 9, 2026 2:47 pm UTC.