New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate growth in the Magic Valley is cooling.
Between June of 2017 and June of 2018, the counties of the Magic Valley gained 391 people through migration. From 2016 to 2017, more than three times that many people moved to the area.
Jan Roeser, a regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor, tells the Times News the declining numbers could indicate slower times are coming to the eight county-Magic Valley region.
Breaking down the migration numbers, the area only saw a net gain of 49 residents from domestic migration – people moving in from other states. Roeser says the region saw a notable outflow of residents. As for why individuals aren’t moving in, she suggests a lack of affordable housing stock could be keeping people at bay.
The net increase of international residents to the area was up very slightly from the previous year. Numbers have been down drastically since the Trump Administration cut refugee admissions to the lowest level in decades. Between 2015 and 2016, almost 700 individuals from outside the U.S. came to the Magic Valley. Last year, just 342 arrived. Twin Falls County and Blaine County saw most international migration receiving 159 and 83 people, respectively.
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