Brooklyn has recently emerged among the top three U.S. counties with the highest number of people moving away from flood-prone areas, according to a new national review by Redfin. Kings County, which covers all of Brooklyn, experienced 28,158 more people leaving than arriving last year, placing it just after Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Harris County, Texas. For the first time since 2019, Redfin reports that areas at high risk of flooding in the U.S. are losing more people than they are attracting. High-flood-risk counties lost almost 30,000 more individuals than they gained, while lower-risk counties enjoyed an influx of about 36,000—the biggest net gain since before COVID-19.
Brooklyn and the National Trend
The analysis points to Brooklyn’s out-migration as part of a trend also affecting cities like Miami, Houston, and New Orleans—where rising home prices, greater climate threats, and swelling insurance costs are putting pressure on residents. Using U.S. Census Bureau migration data and First Street Foundation flood-risk assessments, Redfin classifies “high-risk” counties as those where over 23.7% of homes are exposed to high flood risk. Brooklyn’s dense urban setup and older infrastructure have made managing flood risks an ongoing issue, especially with more frequent severe weather.
Economics and Environment Shape Decisions
Redfin agents point to a combination of rising living costs and environmental challenges pushing residents out. “A lot of people moved to Miami during the pandemic, thinking life would be a vacation,” said Ozzie Linares, a Redfin agent based in South Florida. “Many of those people are now leaving because they’ve realized living here isn’t a piece of cake—the city has become increasingly expensive and extreme weather events are on the rise.” Linares noted his own homeowner’s insurance rose to $6,700 a year from under $2,000 in two years, with flood insurance jumping from $400 to $1,250. These increasing expenses, added to high taxes and special assessments, are forcing residents out of coastal areas. Brooklyn faces similar challenges, where both renters and homeowners feel the squeeze from higher insurance, maintenance, and property costs.
Shifting Population Nationwide
Across the U.S., Miami-Dade County had the largest net outflow—with 67,418 more leavers than newcomers—followed by Harris County, Texas (Houston), which lost 31,165 residents. Houston, where nearly a third of homes face flood danger and all homes endure severe heat risk, has watched people relocate due to both affordability and environmental worries. “People are always nervous about flooding in Houston, but it’s no longer the top concern,” said Roze Swartz, a Redfin Premier agent. “Now it’s the extreme heat, politics, and rising property taxes that are driving people away.” Some individuals are leaving Texas and Florida entirely, while others find relief in nearby suburbs with lower flood threats and more affordable homes.
Immigration Cushions Population Loss for Now
Notably, while many flood-vulnerable regions lost domestic residents, some still grew because of international arrivals. Miami-Dade County’s population jumped by 2.3% in 2024, thanks to 123,835 international immigrants—the most of any U.S. county. Yet, Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather raised concerns about changing immigration trends. “Many of the Americans who left flood-prone areas last year were replaced by immigrants,” Fairweather said. “But with the government cracking down on immigration enforcement, some immigrants are now hesitant to leave their homes during storms because they are afraid they could be detained.”
Brooklyn Faces Questions Ahead
As climate risks, insurance premiums, and home values rise, Brooklyn’s spot among the top-three counties for net outflow highlights concerns about living there—not only due to the environment but also related economic strains. Even a slow population decline poses long-term doubts about the resilience and affordability of New York City’s flood-prone neighborhoods, with infrastructure and planning all coming into focus. To view all of Redfin’s findings, including national graphics and county-by-county migration data, check out Redfin’s report here. Subscribe to BrooklynBuzz.com
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