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Climate and U.S. elderly migration rates
Papers in Regional Science : the Journal of the Regional Science Association International
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Climate significantly influences where elderly Americans move. Mild winters and lower incomes attract older adults, while high rents and dry summers drive them away, impacting migration patterns.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Environmental Psychology
- Urban Studies
Background:
- Understanding drivers of elderly migration is crucial for urban planning and resource allocation.
- Previous research has explored socioeconomic and familial factors in migration, but climate's role requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of climate variables on migration rates among the elderly in U.S. metropolitan areas.
- To identify specific climatic factors associated with elderly in- and outmigration.
Main Methods:
- Factor analysis was employed to reduce forty climatic variables into six key factors.
- Regression analysis was used to predict elderly inmigration and outmigration rates based on climatic and nonclimatic variables.
Main Results:
- Metropolitan areas with mild winters and lower average incomes showed higher rates of elderly inmigration.
- Areas with high rents and clear, dry summers experienced greater elderly outmigration.
- Findings align with the life course model of mobility and differentiate between conservative and innovating migrant types.
Conclusions:
- Climate is a significant, quantifiable factor in elderly migration decisions.
- Planners and policymakers should consider climate in developing strategies for aging populations.
- The study provides empirical support for climate-driven migration theories in gerontology.
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