Social-demographic development of Vologda Oblast during the intercensal period 1970-79

"Demographic trends in Vologda Oblast are analyzed on the basis of 1979 census results as a case study of an oblast involved in the [development] program for the Nonchernozem Zone of the RSFSR. The trend in the 1970-79 intercensal period was for continuing growth of urban population, especially in the two major urban centers of Vologda and the iron and steel city of Cherepovets, and depopulation of rural areas. The age-sex structure is distinguished by a strong aging trend and sex imbalance, especially in rural areas. Despite the proclaimed aim of fostering abandonment of tiny rural places (with 25 residents or less), the number of places in that size class actually increased during the intercensal period (from 40% of all rural places in 1970 to 52 percent in 1979)."