People leaving Idaho?

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Story Published: Jan 12, 2009 at 7:33 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 12, 2009 at 7:33 PM MDT

By Araksya Karapetyan

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IDAHO FALLS - The Northwest and Southwest attracted the largest number of people last year, while Midwestern Rust Belt states saw the greatest loss.

According to Atlas Van Lines, a moving company, for the first time since at least 1993, more people left Idaho than moved here. In this article, Idaho was the only Northwestern state to lose more residents than it gained. Some think it's because of the economy.

"It may not always be about pay, it may be that there isn't anything available here," says Megan Searle.

"Being in a rural area, it's nice to live here, but there might not be as many jobs," says Brandon Eckhardt.

"Have to go where the jobs are and if they're not where you are sometimes you have to go," says Caprice Dennert.

But in Eastern Idaho people aren't going, they're coming. Schools are filling up fast.

"This year we opened our doors with about 430 more students," says Dr. Charles Shackett, Superintendent for District 93.

And that number, is expected to go up.

"Next year and the following year expecting to have a total of 1100 students," says Shackett.

With more students, more schools will be in demand. In fact, District 93 will start building a new elementary school in a few months.

"If for some reason growth stopped right now, we still have enough students to fill that school that we're gonna start building in April," says Shackett.

This trend looks like, it'll carry into the future.

"2018 we will have an increase up to 17,200 students," says Shackett.

Even Idaho Falls Power isn't seeing a decrease in clientele. From 2007 to 2008 their numbers have gone up by almost three hundred new customers.

Plus, just driving around the community, it looks like more people are moving.

"These homes aren't just spec homes, there's a lot of homes that are already purchased," says Shackett.

Overall, our state's population is going down, according to Atlas Van Lines. But, Rob Chiles, the president of the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce says, with Eastern Idaho that's not the case.
As a whole, we're doing well.

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