Distressed Appalachian Counties: An Analysis of Appalachia, Migration, and Education

The Appalachian region is known to be economically depressed, however, some areas of the region are far more economically declined than others and experience higher rates of poverty (Appalachian Regional Commission 2016). Due to a lack of economic opportunity, many individuals within the Appalachian region tend to migrate out of the area (Lichter, Garratt, Marshall, and Cardella 2005, Ludke and Obermiller 2014). The migration patterns of Appalachia mirror those of rural migration trends: young, college educated, and single individuals out migrate in a trend of rural to urban migration (Franklin 2003). While out migration allows the individual an opportunity for economic advancement, this migration trend creates more distress for the economically stagnate counties of Appalachia and diminishes the opportunity for community improvement. This research uses county-level data from the American Community Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau to examine migration patterns of distressed counties determined by the Appalachian Regional Commission, compared to non-distressed counties of Appalachia in order to understand what variables are affecting return migration to distressed counties. In order to determine a return migration pattern with county-level data, age specific cohorts will be analyzed by comparing out migration streams to counter in-migration streams for distressed counties within Appalachia. After completing multiple regression models using SPSS, the results of return migration will be discussed along with ways to improve distressed regions of Appalachia through the ideas of Gain and Remain and Gain and Return