The transition to nonmetropolitan population deconcentration

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Urban Studies
• Rural Sociology

Background:

• Understanding rural-urban population dynamics in nonmetropolitan US counties is limited.
• Historical analysis of population change is crucial for policy and planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine rural and urban growth rate trends in nonmetropolitan counties from 1950-1975.
• To investigate the link between county location/function and internal population deconcentration.
• To identify factors driving population shifts within nonmetropolitan areas.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of population trends between 1950 and 1975.
• Examination of differential rural and urban growth rates.
• Assessment of the relationship between county characteristics and deconcentration patterns.

Main Results:

• The post-1970 era shows population deconcentration within nonmetropolitan areas, not just a net shift from metropolitan zones.
• Traditional ecological base variables are less effective in explaining 1970s deconcentration.
• Deconcentration is observed across nonmetropolitan counties with varied economic and sociodemographic traits.

Conclusions:

• Population deconcentration is a significant trend within nonmetropolitan US counties.
• The drivers of this deconcentration are evolving and extend beyond traditional ecological factors.
• Future research should explore new variables to explain contemporary rural-urban population dynamics.