U.S. Census Office, Net Results of Migration by States and Territories (1903)

This butterfly chart or diverging bar graph, which was included in the 1900 Statistical Atlas of the United States compiled under the direction of Henry Gannett, illustrates migration patterns by state during the ten year period leading up to the 1900 Census. The graph is divided into two main sections: Interstate Migration on the left and All Migration on the right. Each section is further divided into loss and gain categories. The loss sections represent the number of people who emigrated from a state, while the gain sections represent the number of people who immigrated to a state. This is because New York City served as a major port of entry for immigrants, with more than 70 percent of all immigrants arriving in the United States during the late nineteenth century passing through the city. After arriving in New York City, some immigrants remained there, while others continued on to different parts of the country in search of permanent homes. This movement was facilitated by transportation developments, including the Transcontinental Railroad, which expanded access to regions across the United States. As shown in the All Migration section, most states gained more immigrants than they lost, highlighting the significant influx of foreign immigration experienced during this period.