A study by a leading moving company shows that Americans continue to head west -- and to the mid-Atlantic states -- while many are leaving the Great Lakes region behind.

St. Louis-based United Van Lines has been tracking moves since 1977. The 2008 study released Wednesday looks at nearly 200,000 interstate household moves in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.

The District of Columbia tops the list for inbound migration, with 62.1 percent of interstate moves going in. Nevada was second, followed by North Carolina, Alabama and Wyoming.

Michigan saw the largest outbound migration, with about two-thirds of interstate moves heading out. North Dakota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island also were states with high percentages of outbound migration.

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