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Short-term dynamics of the U.S. interstate migration system, 1980-1988
Growth and Change
|October 1, 1992
Summary
US interstate migration fluctuated significantly between 1980-1988, especially during economic downturns. Population redistribution patterns shifted notably, showing high temporal and spatial volatility in migration flows.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Economic Geography
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding U.S. interstate migration dynamics is crucial for policy and resource allocation.
- Previous research often focused on longer-term trends, with less emphasis on short-term fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze short-term fluctuations in the U.S. interstate migration system.
- To examine how economic conditions and regional events influenced population redistribution patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized annual state-to-state migration flow data from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records (1980-1988).
- Employed migration efficiency measures to assess net population redistribution relative to gross migration flows.
Main Results:
- Migration was more effective in redistributing population during economic retrenchment than growth periods.
- The dominant population redistribution pattern shifted from core-periphery to bi-coastal by the mid-1980s.
- The 1980s oil glut significantly impacted energy-dependent states, demonstrating regional economic influence on migration.
Conclusions:
- The U.S. interstate migration system exhibits high temporal and spatial volatility.
- Economic conditions and specific regional events, like the oil glut, are key drivers of migration fluctuations.