COVID Ghost Towns: New York City Population Drops During Pandemic, Location Data Shows.
What can location data from X-Mode’s panel tell us about movement patterns in and out of New York City during the pandemic? Read on to find out!
By Joseph Green
A lot has changed since the onset of COVID-19, from the way we work to the way we work out. New analysis from X-Mode’s aggregated location panel shows another dramatic transformation in the country’s largest city. Read on to learn about why people are moving out of the city during the pandemic — and where they might be going.
As a company interested in all things location, X-Mode was curious to see how COVID has affected movement patterns throughout the country. Without prematurely declaring a “mass migration” or “exodus,” it is undeniable that many cities have seen major changes in population distribution during the crisis. Analyzing changes in location-based movement patterns between February and October gives a peek into what this looks like on the ground.
X-Mode accomplished this analysis by tallying the percentage of our total panel that dwelled in New York City on a ZIP code level. We then compared that percentage before and after the beginning of the pandemic in order to determine the increase/decrease in population density.
As you can see, the data shows a population decrease in urban centers — particularly in Manhattan — and a corresponding increase in surrounding areas. One of the most popular new destinations for these “missing New Yorkers” was Florida, though this may also just be seasonal. Regardless, these insights could be of great value to researchers, policymakers, and commercial partners. Data relating to population migration in particular may interest real estate companies grappling with an unpredictable post-COVID housing market. Several of X-Mode’s data licensers have leveraged location data in this way to bolster their products during a difficult time for the industry.
The pandemic has changed the world dramatically, and its ultimate impact is yet to be seen. The companies that come out on the other side of this crisis stronger will be the ones that learn how to adapt to these turbulent, ever-evolving conditions. One of the surest ways to achieve that goal is by using location based data that reflects, as closely as possible, what is actually happening in the real world. Keep your eyes on the X-Mode blog for more insights similar to these, and reach out today if you want to learn more about all the possibilities offered by licensing location data.
