We’ve heard about the trend for more than a few years now—the country is moving to the South and the West, politically, demographically, and now, proof positive, in moving vans, too.

Just in, United Van Lines 31st annual “migration” study which tracks where its customers have moved from and to over the previous 12 months. United has been doing this since 1977, so there’s more than a bit of statistical validity to the findings.

Surprise, surprise! Movement out of the Great Lakes region increased in 2007, while the South and West generally showed an inbound migration trend. For 2007, United says, the accounting is based on the 212,917 interstate household moves it handled among in the “lower 48” and D.C.

In what should warm the hearts of Republicans in this presidential election year, the South became the No. 1 migration spot last year, with North Carolina coming in as the top destination (61.6% inbound). Alabama (57.9%) had its fifth year as a high-inbound location, while South Carolina (57.8%) continued its 14-year inbound tradition. West Virginia (55.7%) and Tennessee (55.1%) rounded out the high-inbound list for the South.

The Western portion of the country also was a popular destination. Capturing the No. 2 inbound ranking, Nevada (59.4%) continued its high-inbound trend that began in 1986. Oregon (58.4%) sustained its 20-year, high-inbound trend, and Arizona (55.8%) maintained its six-year position on the high-inbound list. Wyoming (57.2%) and South Dakota (57.4%) continued two-year, high-inbound trends.

Although not considered “high inbound,” other Western states witnessed an influx of residents. Even Washington, D.C., at 58.5%, remains on the inbound list. Go figure.

Yet, woe is us. States in our Great Lakes region generally showed an outbound trend, with Michigan (67.8%) the top outbound spot. Other Great Lakes states that made the high-outbound list were New York (59.4%) and (drum-roll) Illinois (57.6%), both of which have been high outbound since the survey’s inception. Other Great Lakes and “Rust Belt” states fared little better.

So if we’re losing more people than we’re taking in, where’s all this traffic coming? Or is it just people driving through on the way to somewhere sunnier?