Public Resource
Poll: Nearly Half of Americans Who Plan to Move Say Natural Disasters, Extreme Temperatures Factored Into Their Decision to Relocate
- Nearly half (49%) of Americans who plan to move in the next year say "the increasing frequency/intensity of natural disasters" was a factor. 48% cited increasing extreme temperatures and 36% cited rising sea levels.
- Younger Americans are more likely to factor climate change into moving decisions, with respondents age 35-44 most likely to say that natural disasters, extreme temperatures and/or rising sea levels played a role in their decision to move.
- There were also regional differences, with respondents in the Midwest least likely to say that climate-change risks were a factor in their decision to relocate and respondents in the west most likely to cite climate change as a factor in their relocation.
- Nearly 80% of respondents said that increasing frequency or intensity of natural disasters in an area would make them hesitant to buy a home there. A slightly lower share—about three-quarters—would be hesitant to buy a home in a place with extreme temperatures and/or rising sea levels.