Now, when people flee, they cite poor public schools, crime and city management. The elected officials don't have the voice they had. He moved to Virginia in 1996 after 10 years in the city. Every time you lose one of those families, you lose a crucial piece of the underpinning that holds it all together. The study said the city's racial differences were reflected in where people move when they leave.
Whites split almost evenly between the two states.
Among African Americans who left the District, the most popular suburban destinations, in order, were Prince George's County, Montgomery County, Fairfax County and Alexandria. Whites chose Montgomery County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria and Prince George's County.