Migration and Economic Restructuring in Nonmetro America, 1989-94

Widespread population growth is underway in nonmetro America, mostly as a result of favorable net migration. We examine in- and outmigration separately to measure the relative importance of each to this resurgence. In addition, we explore the changing relationships among nonmetro migration, urban influence, and industrial structure. Isolated nonmetro areas were capturing a significant share of total net migration by 1993-94, but the relative contribution of in- and outmig ration varied regionally. Controlling for industrial structure and natural amenities, the effect of metro proximity on nonmetro net migration switched from positive to negative between 1988-89 and 1993- 94. Results suggest a revived period of deconcentration as people are increasingly able to act upon long-held residential preferences. Emerging migration patterns coincide with changes in rural comparative advantage. The rural advantage is increasingly based on the residential and recreational attractiveness of its natural amenities rather than on the extractive value of its natural resources or its production-related advantages