Migrant Nation

America is not only a nation of immigrants, with 2.6 million people legally entering the country each year, but also a nation of migrants, as 12 million people make significant moves within its borders annually. Despite this vast internal migration, there is little infrastructure or support to help these individuals integrate and thrive.

Migrants are the key to reversing the decline of connection and trust in this country.

Who is Migrating?

In the next decade, an estimated third of the country will make a major move.

Each year, 12 million people migrate within the United States, with a diverse range of demographics driving this movement. Younger adults, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, often relocate for job opportunities, education, or lifestyle changes. Families with children seek better living conditions, educational facilities, and safer neighborhoods. Racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans, have shifted regions, with the New Great Migration seeing many return to the South. Retirees also contribute significantly to internal migration, often moving to warmer climates or areas with a lower cost of living. Economic factors, like employment opportunities and cost of living, heavily influence migration, with many moving from high-cost urban areas to more affordable, job-rich regions in the Sun Belt.

Open to Connect

People who move away from established support systems necessarily need to seek fresh starts, making them more open to change and growth. Social science research highlights that relocation often creates a sense of psychological “reset,” making individuals more receptive to new experiences, behaviors, and connections. The growth mindset of newcomers, combined with the need to establish routines and networks, requires adaptability, resilience, and sometimes even a reevaluation of personal goals. Movers frequently embrace the challenges of their transition with optimism, even as they navigate initial feelings of loss or loneliness.

Connection Flywheel

Newcomers have the potential to create a powerful flywheel for connection in their new communities. When they are welcomed and actively engage in building relationships, their actions inspire others to be more social, generous, and inclusive. By proactively reaching out to long-term residents, they foster meaningful connections that enrich both their own lives and the broader community. As these newcomers integrate, they often support local nonprofits and businesses, helping to strengthen the very third places—parks, cafes, community centers—that make a city vibrant and connected. One engaged newcomer can spark a ripple effect, impacting not only their own social network but also enriching the lives of those around them, creating a more resilient and interconnected community. Imagine what 12 million per year could do.

Economic Opportunity

Newcomers are critical to businesses, employers, and nonprofits today, as they represent a valuable growth market across various sectors.

For businesses, it costs 5-25 times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one, highlighting the importance of engaging newcomers early and fostering loyalty.

Employers face significant costs when losing an employee, with estimates showing that replacing an employee can cost between 30% and 150% of the employee's annual salary, depending on their role and seniority. This includes recruiting, onboarding, and lost productivity during the transition. Cigna found that lonely employees are also $4,200 less productive.
Nonprofits should also invest heavily in newcomer engagement, with research indicating that it costs 10 times more to acquire a new donor than to retain an existing one.
In universities, the cost of a student dropping out can be substantial, with estimates suggesting that for every student who leaves, institutions lose between $50,000 and $100,000 in tuition revenue over the course of their education.
Local governments should also in newcomer engagement, with the cost of failing to integrate new voters potentially undermining democratic participation and creating gaps in community cohesion.
In every case, engaging newcomers directly impacts retention and long-term success, strengthening institutions and driving the overall health of communities, particularly in the post-COVID world, where rebuilding connections is essential for economic recovery and social well-being.

Let’s Welcome Newcomers

Engaging newcomers is the key to reigniting connection in America, as their active participation can transform communities, strengthen social ties, and foster the vibrant, interconnected society we need to thrive.

hello@chamberofconnection.org