Americans continue to migrate westward and move out of the Rust Belt states, according to Atlas Van Lines’ 2007 Migration Patterns study.

Washington D.C. had the highest percentage of inbound traffic for the second straight year, and Ohio had the highest percentage of outbound traffic. North Carolina recorded the fourth-highest percentage of inbound residents, compared to outbound residents.

Migration patterns also show that Florida has lost its allure, while California has picked up steam. For the second year in a row, Atlas Van Lines moved more residents out of the state of Florida than into it, and California recorded more inbound moves than outbound moves for the first time since 2001.

“Atlas’ migration study reflects the movement of the nation and identifies thriving hot spots in America ,” said Greg Hoover, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Atlas World Group. “Overall, the number of household goods moves was down for the industry, as the post-Katrina exodus from Louisiana into the surrounding states leveled off and the housing market continued to stagnate. Real estate costs undoubtedly influenced migration patterns this year as well.” The loss of jobs in the Rust Belt states continues to push Northern Midwesterners into other areas of the country. Wisconsin , Michigan , Indiana and Ohio all recorded significantly more traffic heading out of state than in. Ohio had the highest percentage of outbound traffic compared to inbound and the fifth-highest number of outbound moves nationally. The top five states for relocating Buckeyes: Florida , Texas , California , North Carolina and Georgia . Nationally, Indiana and Michigan recorded the third- and fifth-highest outbound percentages, respectively.