WASHINGTON (AP) - The share of Americans who made a long-distance move dropped to a record low last year as many young adults, struggling without jobs, opted to stay put rather than relocate to other parts of the U.S.

New census figures show about 12.5 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 38 million people, made some kind of move to a new home. Only in 2008 was the overall mobility rate lower, at 11.9 percent.

The share of moves across states fell to 1.4 percent, or roughly 4.3 million people. It was the lowest level since the government began tracking movers in 1948.

Census data released Tuesday show large metropolitan areas in Sun Belt states continued to attract some new residents, but at a slower pace.

 (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)