Nonmetropolitan-Destined Migration and Metropolitan Area Attributes.

Abstract

The study focuses on the characteristics of U.S. metropolitan areas which send a large number of their outmigrants to nonmetropolitan areas, and on the characteristics and attitudes of the migrants themselves. Methodology includes regression equations, comparisons of means and crosstabulations and descriptive statistics. For SMSA's in the 1955-1970 period, the correlation between inmigration and outmigration is much stronger for nonmetropolitan-related than for metropolitan-related migration. Also, a higher than average migrant exchange with nonmetropolitan areas cannot be attributed to a generally localized geographic area of migrant exchange. The characteristics of an SMSA associated with outmigration of the 1965-1970 period differ by type of destination. Job-related characteristics affect outmigration to metropolitan areas far more than outmigration to nonmetropolitan areas. Crime affects only outmigration to nonmetropolitan areas. In addition, ongoing SMSA-nonmetropolitan area migrant exchange patterns are more stongly related to outmigration to nonmetropolitan areas than are other characteristics of the sending SMSA. Outmigrants of different age, education and race groups vary in their propensity to choose a nonmetropolitan destination. Older outmigrants, those with less education and non-Blacks are most likely to prefer a nonmetropolitan area. The net migration of an SMSA, whether measured alone or relative to that of its nonmetropolitan hinterl and , appears to be primarily influenced by employment-related factors. The non-employment factors of property tax and percentage of state nonmetropolitan l and appear to have an effect on relative SMSA-hinterl and net migration through their influence in the hinterl and . Survey data of 1979-1980 from the Detroit SMSA indicate that individual demographic characteristics of age, education and race are related to the propensity to move and the choice of a metropolitan or nonmetropolitan destination. The preference for a nonmetropolitan destination is stronger for White outmigrants and increases with age. The association of education level with the likelihood of choosing a nonmetropolitan destination is largely attributable to race and age factors. In follow-up interviews, respondents who had moved or intended to move to a nonmetropolitan area emphasized both economic and quality of life differentials in their reasons for moving.