Nearly a million New Yorkers ready to flee NYC if Mamdani becomes mayor — possibly igniting mass exodus: poll
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers said they’d pack up if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the upcoming NYC mayoral election.
A recent survey by J.L. Partners reported that about 9 % of the city’s 8.4 million residents would “definitely” leave. That figure translates to roughly 765,000 people—about the same number as Washington, D.C., or Seattle—ready to move on.
The poll also said 25 % of New Yorkers—about 2.1 million—would “consider” moving. Even high‑earners are uneasy: 7 % of those making more than $250,000 a year said they would definitely leave the city if Mamdani takes office.
The voices that answered the survey echo growing concern about a potential mass exodus. James Johnson, the poll’s lead researcher, warned that if even a fraction of those respondents actually leave, the economic impact would be “seismic.” He noted that older residents, Staten Island voters, and white voters are most likely to be on the move.
When asked to imagine Mamdani’s New York, many respondents painted a bleak picture, calling it a “disaster,” “hell,” or even a “sh‑hole.” Men were twice as likely as women to say they’d move—12 % of men versus 7 % of women are certain. Voters aged 50‑64 expressed the strongest desire to leave, with 12 % sure and 33 % unsure.
Racial breakdowns show 13 % of white New Yorkers and 11 % of Asian residents would definitely move. Staten Island leads the group: 21 % are certain, 54 % are pondering a move. In Manhattan, 6 % would leave and 20 % are undecided; Brooklyn’s figures are 8 % and 18 %.
When questioned about where they’d go, many voters pointed to the Carolinas, Florida, and Tennessee. These states offer lower income and property taxes, making them attractive alternatives to the Big Apple.
Election day is shaping up for high turnout. At least 1.9 million voters are expected to head to the polls—higher than the 1.5 million who voted when Bloomberg defeated Mark Green in 2021, and the highest turnout since nearly 2.5 million voted for John Lindsay in 1969. Early voting ended Sunday night; 735,317 voters had already cast ballots.
In the margin close to the election, Mamdani held a 6.6‑point lead over former Governor Andrew Cuomo with just 72 hours left. An AtlasIntel poll released Saturday shows Mamdani at 40.6 %, Cuomo at 34 %, and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 24.1 %. However, the RealClearPolitics average still places Mamdani comfortably ahead by 14.5 points, keeping him on track to become NYC’s next mayor.
The question for New Yorkers—whether to stay or start fresh—remains hot as the city’s ballot boxes fill and the city confronts a possible exodus that could reshape its demographics and economy.
Source: New York Post
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