Abstract
Throughout U.S. history, millions of Americans have migrated between nonmetro and metro areas. Both economic and noneconomic factors have been thought to be important in motivating individuals and families to migrate. Economic opportunities have generally been better in metro communities prompting extensive levels of nonmetro to metro migration. At the same time, nonmetro communities have been felt to offer the advantages of safety, being closer to nature, and having more conservative religious and family values. In this analysis, data from recent General Social Surveys were used to compare the economic and noneconomic outcomes for nonmetro and metro migrants compared with those who remained in either metro or nonmetro areas. The analysis showed that persons who migrate from nonmetro to metro areas continue to reap economic benefits. On the other hand, nonmetro residents continue to have more traditional religious and family values. No statistical differences in overall life satisfaction were found. The reasons for these findings and their consequences are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Albrecht, Don. 2006. "Nonmetro/Metro Migration: Economic and Noneconomic Outcomes." Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 21(1): Article 1. Available at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/jrss/vol21/iss1/1
Publication Date
6-30-2006
