10 High-Flood-Risk Areas Where More People Are Moving In Than Out

Nearly 75% of Americans now support international efforts to fight climate change, according to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center. The issue has become increasingly personal — financially and otherwise — as severe floods and wildfires continue to impact the country. And yet, people are still moving to some flood-prone areas in record numbers.

These 10 examples, reported by Redfin, prove it. Would you live in any of these places?

• Net inflow (2023): 15,757
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 39.2%

Fort Bend County is in southeastern Texas, around 30 miles southwest of Houston. That alone makes it a compelling place for people to call home. Houston is growing rapidly, and homes here are still relatively affordable compared to other parts of the country.

Fort Bend’s median home sale price is $397,000 as of July 2024. That could leave you with enough cash to afford some great flood insurance.

• Net inflow (2023): 14,886
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 24.2%

Brevard County is another flood-prone area near a major city. It’s just east of Orlando, encompassing Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. If you love warm weather and beaches, it’s a great place to be.

Just make sure to keep an eye on the news for flood watches.

• Net inflow (2023): 12,309
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 29.4%

St. Johns County is just south of Jacksonville, Florida. It can be a good place to live if you want to be in this part of the country, with beaches, golf and historical charm. However, Redditors say the traffic is awful and the county’s infrastructure isn’t up to par for the influx of people.

• Net inflow (2023): 12,284
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 30.7%

Volusia County is just north of Orlando — close to Brevard County. You might be choosing between those two places if you want to be near the city.

Home prices are very similar. The average house in Volusia sells for $350,000, while Brevard County’s median is $365,000. However, the share of homes facing a high flood risk is a bit higher in Volusia. Ultimately, both options can work if you want to stay close to Orlando.

• Net inflow (2023): 11,300
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 29.2%

Next up: Manatee County, another Florida suburb of a larger metro area, Tampa. The average home here sells for $440,000 — meaningfully more than the previously listed Florida counties.

• Net inflow (2023): 8,526
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 29.3%

If you want to be near Tampa but don’t like Manatee County, consider Sarasota County. It’s close to the city and has a great public school system. The Sarasota County School District earned an “A” rating from the state.

• Net inflow (2023): 8,374
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 50.4%

Lee County is a little farther south of Tampa than the previous two areas. It’s home to Cape Coral and Fort Myers — plus, miles of scenic coastline.

The average house here sells for $385,000. Compare that to Sarasota County’s $425,000 and Manatee County’s $440,000. You’ll be a bit farther from Tampa but may be able to save some money by living here.

• Net inflow (2023): 7,888
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 53.8%

Brazoria County is where you’ll live if you move to a Houston suburb like Pearland or Alvin. Just south of the city, its median home sale price is $345,495. However, 53.8% of homes face a high flood risk. This could make it harder to find a place you feel safe in.

• Net inflow (2023): 7,796
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 26.6%

Brunswick County is a suburb of Wilmington, North Carolina. It has a population of around 137,000 people and is known for its beautiful beaches, quiet towns and mild year-round climate.

• Net inflow (2023): 7,329
• Percent of homes facing high flood risk: 28.8%

Finally, if you enjoy the mid-Atlantic, Sussex County could be a nice place to live. It’s about two and a half hours from Washington, D.C. Plus, the area has some historical significance. The county town of Lewes was Delaware’s first settlement, founded in 1631.

Floods can be very dangerous — they destroy homes every year. But this list shows that doesn’t always keep homeowners away. If you want to move to one of these areas, follow these tips.

Buy Flood Insurance

You don’t have to assume all the risks of living in a flood-prone area yourself. You can buy an insurance policy to protect your home. If a flood damages it, you won’t have to pay for all of the repairs.

However, these policies can be expensive. You can learn how much flood insurance should cost in your area on the FEMA website.

Prepare Your Home

There are also steps you can take to prepare your home for floods. That could mean installing anti-flood doors, elevating your home or making strategic landscaping choices.

You’ll also usually hear about potential floods in advance. You can take steps when those stories first break to keep your valuables safe. This can at least minimize the damage if the worst ever occurs.

Stay Connected

Finally, make sure that you stay connected to your local weather forecasts. Hurricanes and tropical storms can move quickly. Even if there’s no flood risk today, you could be on high alert tomorrow. Just stay connected.

You can get the information you need on the news, social media or through friends and family. Doing so will enable you to take preventive actions sooner, which could help you avoid flood damage.

Average home prices were sourced from Redfin.