🇺🇸 The Top 10 States Americans Moved to in 2023

Good Monday Morning. Today's newsletter zooms in on the Top 10 States Americans flocked to in 2023, uncovering trends reshaping the nation's demographics and logistics. Then, Prime Transportation's pay debate led us to ask which trucking companies have the best driver compensation. We're also covering another big drug bust and the latest leap in bringing us closer to a driverless future.

Question of the Day: For the sixth time in eight years, this state has experienced the largest population increase. Which state is it? Scroll to our main story to find out.

In today's email:

• Three Freight Headlines: Prime Transportation paying company drivers 31 cents a mile, a major cocaine bust at the Texas border, and driverless trucks coming by 2027.
• The Top 10 States Americans Moved to in 2023
• Around the Freight Web: The world's biggest container ships, LDS Church's Miami warehouse investment, and new risks in China 'derisking.'
• Freight Meme of the Day

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🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

💰 Prime Inc.'s Pay Controversy: Reality Behind $0.31 Per Mile. A viral X (formerly Twitter) post claiming Prime Inc. hires drivers at just $0.31 per mile for livestock hauling sparked debate about trucker compensation. This figure, questioned for accuracy, led to varied reactions ranging from disgust to skepticism. The conversations led us to seek out some of the highest-paying companies for comparison, and we discovered names like GP Transco, Riverside Transport, and Barr-Nunn offering significantly higher rates. Check out the full list of top-paying trucking companies here.

🚓 $5.5 Million Cocaine Bust at Texas Border. On January 3, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Ysleta Port of Entry Cargo Facility in El Paso, Texas, intercepted 172.6 pounds of cocaine. The illegal substance, with a street value exceeding $5.5 million, was found in a box truck arriving from Mexico. The driver, a 56-year-old Mexican citizen, was subjected to a secondary inspection using canine units and X-ray technology. CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez credited officer expertise, canine assistance, and technology in effective contraband control.

🤖 Driverless Milestone: Autonomous Semi Trucks at Scale in 2027. Aurora Innovation and Continental believe they are on track to alter the trucking industry completely with the mass deployment of driverless semi-trucks by 2027. They have completed the Aurora Driver's design, a hardware kit enabling autonomous truck operation. The timeline includes prototyping and testing from 2024 to 2025 and mass production commencement by 2026-2027. They are to have 20 driverless trucks operating by the end of 2024. Time will tell if they succeed.

TOGETHER WITH RAPIDO

Rapido is a top nearshore staffing company providing logistics and supply chain talent to companies in the United States. Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rapido offers a unique combination of cost savings and access to a skilled workforce, making it an attractive option for American logistics businesses.

See what makes nearshoring to Mexico an attractive option for scaling a logistics company and how partnering with Rapido Solutions Group simplifies the whole process.

The Top 10 States Americans Moved to in 2023

Population changes are key indicators for logistics pros, as more people mean more freight and diverse demands.

Why it Matters:

• Increased demand for transportation services: As populations grow, the demand for goods and services, such as food, clothing, and other consumer products in those regions.
• Driver recruitment and retention: A growing population can increase demand for quality truck drivers in those regions.

One of the most comprehensive looks at population movement comes from U-Haul's 2023 Growth Index. The index is derived from over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck transactions. It calculates growth by assessing the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering versus leaving each state, offering insights into domestic migration patterns.,John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International President, comments:

While one-way transactions in 2023 remained below the record-breaking levels we witnessed immediately following the pandemic, we continued to see many of the same geographical trends from U-Haul customers moving between states. Migration to states in the Southeast and Southwest is still very pronounced. Demand for one-way equipment out of certain markets in the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast mirrors what we have seen during recent moving cycles.

This year, Texas topped the list as the No. 1 state Americans moved to, indicating a growing base for various industries like tech and aerospace. Texas is also attractive due to its tax-friendly policies and is home to 53 Fortune 500 companies. Here's the latest from U-Haul released on January 6, 2024, punctuated by growth rate data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which calculated the change in growth rate from Juley 2022- July 2023.

Top 10 States People Moved to in 2023

1. Texas: For the sixth time in eight years, Texas leads with 50.4% of all one-way U-Haul traffic. Its growth rate of 1.6% is driven by a burgeoning tech and aerospace sector. Texas is home to 53 Fortune 500 companies, benefiting from no income tax.
2. Florida: Holding the second spot, Florida attracts high-income earners with no state income tax. The Census marks its growth rate at 1.6% in 2023.
3. North Carolina: Known for its growing tech hub and favorable business climate, North Carolina's estimated population grew by 139,526 people, according to Census data.
4. South Carolina: The state is seeing an increase in manufacturing and housing developments driven by its appealing business environment. The Census estimates its rate of growth at 1.7%.
5. Tennessee: Tennessee attracts movers with its advantageous tax policies. The state saw a 1.1% growth rate.
6. Idaho: Idaho's growth is fueled by its expanding tech sector, with a 1.3% growth rate.
7. Washington: The state's tech industry, led by major corporations, continues to attract a skilled workforce, seeing a 1.1% growth rate.
8. Arizona: Arizona is a hub for retirees and young professionals, contributing to its population growth of 65,660 residents.
9. Colorado: With a focus on sustainable development and a booming tech industry, Colorado remains a top choice for relocation, gaining 36,571 residents, according to census data.
10. Virginia: Its strong government and defense sectors and a burgeoning tech industry support Virginia's steady growth. The Census noted an increase of 36,599 residents.

Sources: CNBC | U-Haul | U.S. Census Bureau

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AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🚢 Behemoths of the Sea. Take a look at the top 10 largest container ships of 2024, led by MSC Irina with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs.

🌊 Red Sea Conflict Impact on Domestic Freight. A look at how the Red Sea tensions spiked shipping rates and the impact on U.S. inbound freight.

🏗️ Mormon Church's Major Industrial Move. The Church's real estate arm acquires Beacon Logistics Park in Miami for $174.3 million, showing a big interest in prime industrial real estate.

🔄 Supply Chain 'Derisking' Dilemma. Efforts to decrease reliance on China introduce new risks, and research shows that any signs of increased resilience are "illusory."

🌪️ Climate Biggest Supply Chain Issue? Secretary Pete emphasized climate as a top supply chain risk, but logistics experts like Benjamin Gordon highlight other key threats: the freight recession, record trucking bankruptcies, and the Red Sea shutdown.

❄️ I-80 Sierra Reopened: After extreme weather closures, I-80 in the Sierra reopens, yet travelers face ongoing chain control measures and advised caution.

FREIGHT CONFERENCES WE'RE ATTENDING

Manifest Vegas, February 5 - 7, 2024, is the world's largest global supply chain & logistics tech event, bringing together Fortune 500 global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, cutting-edge startups, venture investors, and technology leaders.  Join 4,500+ supply chain innovators to foster new strategies and relationships. Receive $200 off your ticket with our exclusive link.

FREIGHT MEME OF THE DAY

Also, check out:

• 🎧 The FreightCaviar Podcast. Listen to this week's podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
• ☕️ FreightCaviar Essentials. Purchase a FreightCaviar hoodie, long-sleeve, or mug by clicking here.
• 🎧 The Bootstrapper's Guide to Logistics is a podcast that highlights and inspires supply chain entrepreneurs, sharing their stories and building a community from the ground up.
• Want to get your brand noticed by freight brokers? FreightCaviar can help. Work with us to get your services featured in our newsletter, podcast, and more. Plus, we write great articles about what you do. Get in touch with Paul at pbj@freightcaviar.com to learn more.