Analysis of Current Population Survey data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census contradicts the popular allegation of significant population returns to central cities from suburbs. On the contrary, data reveal a continuation of the decades-old trend of migration away from metropolitan areas. (KH)

The U.S. farm population continued its long-term downward trend during 1977, indicating that the population growth characteristic of nonmetropolitan counties since 1970 has not extended to population living on farms. In the 12-month period centered on April 1977, the farm population was 7,806,000, or 450,000 fewer farm residents (5.4%) than in…

By 1979, nonmetro Hispanics trailed Whites and metro Hispanics in rates of high school graduation, college completion, and functional literacy; their relative position for these worsened during the seventies, despite absolute gains. While nonmetro Hispanic school enrollments for ages 3-15 compared favorably with other groups in 1978, 36% of…