Examines rural growth of 1970s and 1980s, suggesting ongoing movement of middle class to small towns and rural areas. Describes benefits and problems associated with increasing urban to rural migration. Describes community responses designed to preserve rural integrity. Includes statistics and maps showing population changes. (TES)

Increased migration to the sunbelt and the metropolitan-nonmetropolitan "turnaround" represent departures from longstanding redistribution trends. Although these patterns have been examined from a number of perspectives, their consequences for individiual metropolitan areas have not been brought to light. In the present study, stream-disaggregated…

A comparison of outmigration and inmigration rates for nonmetropolitan counties during 1985-90 reveals that high levels of outmigration in rural areas among young adults are mitigated by inmigration of this age group; that net outmigration is more severe among college-educated young people; and that high net-loss counties are distinguished by low…

Because migration trends in the West and their consequences have sometimes served as indicators of what other regions can expect, it is important that such trends and effects be monitored and analyzed. This bulletin describes patterns of migration, assesses individual and family and social considerations in western migration, and discusses policy…

The industrial composition of employment growth in urban areas in the 1960s is contrasted with that in rural areas to assess recent strengths and weaknesses of rural economies. The relationship between aggregate labor force growth and aggregate job opportunities in rural areas is analyzed to determine the adequacy of employment opportunities to…

This analysis addresses the need for including age-structure effects in migration analysis as important for determining effects of a demographic process on an area's socioeconomic characteristics. It examines: (1) patterns of age-specific net migration across age groups for Texas' 254 counties in 1960-1970 and 1970-1980 using cluster analysis and,…

Utilizing 1970 U.S. census data, North Carolina's (N.C.) age and sex distributions were examined to determine: rural-urban differences; national differences; influential factors; and social significance (health, education, employment, youth, and the aged). Major findings were: (1) the rural-farm fertility level had dropped below that of urban…

All through the 1970-1980 decade, growth of population took place in the rural and small town areas of the United States where very little had occurred in earlier recent decades. In general, the trend can be viewed as one that was primarily socially motivated but facilitated by improved rural economic conditions. By contrast, in the first 3 years…

This report presents a statistical portrait of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of American youth, ages 14 to 24 years old, between the late 1960's and the early 1970's. Data are included on population growth, racial composition, distribution, and mobility; education; marital status and family composition; fertility; labor force…

Educational, medical, and other services in rural areas have been undergoing a consolidation and centralization process to bring about more efficient operation. A research project sponsored by the United Methodist Church was designed to assess the position of the church as a decentralized unit in a small community relative to its leadership…