Brooklyn has ranked among the top three American counties experiencing the largest number of residents moving out from high-flood-risk zones, according to the latest national findings by Redfin. Kings County, representing all of Brooklyn, had a net loss of 28,158 residents in the past year, following only Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Harris County, Texas. This Redfin report highlights the first time flood-vulnerable regions in the U.S. have seen a net population decrease since 2019. Across the nation, high-risk flood counties lost about 30,000 more people than they gained, while lower-risk counties attracted almost 36,000 more people—marking the largest net move into safer regions since before the coronavirus pandemic.
Brooklyn Reflects National Migration Trends
Brooklyn’s population drop is part of a broader exodus from coastal cities like Miami, Houston, and New Orleans, all grappling with expensive real estate, climate threats, and soaring insurance premiums. Redfin used U.S. Census data and First Street Foundation flood-risk ratings to identify “high-risk” counties—those where over 23.7% of homes are classified as high flood risk. In Brooklyn, a combination of older infrastructure and dense building along the waterfront has made achieving flood resilience more difficult, especially as extreme weather becomes more common.
Why Are People Leaving?
Redfin agents say that both financial and environmental stressors are prompting people to relocate. “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 also said his own insurance costs soared—home insurance rose to $6,700 from under $2,000 in two years, and flood insurance from $400 to $1,250. These increases, plus high property taxes, are driving many to reconsider coastal living. Brooklyn residents, too, are facing escalating insurance, property, and maintenance fees, deepening affordability concerns.
Population Movements Across the Country
Beyond Brooklyn, Miami-Dade County recorded the largest exodus, with 67,418 more people leaving than settling there. Harris County in Texas suffered a loss of 31,165 residents. Houston, where one-third of properties are in high-flood-risk zones and every home faces severe heat, is seeing people move out because of insurance and cost-of-living issues. “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.” While some are leaving the states outright, others are moving to nearby suburbs with lower risk and slightly cheaper homes.
Immigration Still Drives Growth
Despite population losses among locals, some high-flood-risk counties are growing, thanks to international arrivals. Miami-Dade County’s population rose by 2.3% in 2024, due largely to 123,835 international arrivals—the most of any county in the nation. Still, Daryl Fairweather, Redfin’s Chief Economist, has concerns about future changes. “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’s Challenges Ahead
As insurance premiums, housing prices, and environmental threats rise, Brooklyn’s position in Redfin’s list highlights the ongoing affordability and climate resilience challenges facing the borough. This gradual outflow is a signal for questions about the long-term viability of living in low-lying areas of New York City with costly upkeep and persistent flood threats. To access Redfin’s complete study, including detailed charts and data, visit Redfin’s report here. Subscribe to BrooklynBuzz.com
