MADISON—Wisconsin lost an estimated $4.72 billion in household net worth over a five-year period due to residents leaving the state, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). The new WISTAX study also found that, over the same period, out-migration resulted in a loss of $454.8 million in income.

These findings are part of a new WISTAX study, "Moving In, Moving On: Migration in Wisconsin," that analyzed unpublished data from the 2000 U.S. Census. The federal figures reported state-to-state changes in residence over the five-year period beginning April 1995.

Migration of household wealth varied by income level, WISTAX found. At incomes under $75,000, 9,100 more households moved into Wisconsin than moved out. This resulted in a net gain of $1.44 billion in net worth and $346.8 million in income.

In numbers, the net loss of higher-income households was smaller, only 4,700. However, the loss of $6.16 billion in net worth and $801.6 million in income was far larger. Although overall 4,400 more households moved here than left, WISTAX concluded that net losses during 1995-2000 were $4.72 billion in net worth and $454.8 million in income.

"These figures are not trivial," said WISTAX President Todd A. Berry, "for lost assets can cease to be held in and loaned by Wisconsin banks. They can result in the sale of stock in Wisconsin firms to nonresident investors, less in-state investment capital available for new ventures here, and reduced support for Badger State charities."

Purchase and analysis of Census figures were made possible, in part, by former State Administration Secretary George Kaiser, a founder of Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., with longtime interest in out-migration and its economic impact. UW-Madison La Follette School graduate student Karyn Kriz assisted with early data preparation and analysis.

For a free copy of The Wisconsin Taxpayer titled "Moving In, Moving On: Migration in Wisconsin," write WISTAX, 401 North Lawn Ave., Madison, WI 53704-5033; e-mail wistax@wistax.org; visit www.wistax.org; or phone 608.241.9789. o