Selected Factors Associated with Age-specific Net Migration for South Dakota, 1970-1980

A study of South Dakota net migration was conducted to (1) determine the extent of age-specific migration from 1970-80; (2) compare current age-specific migration patterns with the previous decade; and (3) determine selected socio-demographic factors associated with the 1970-80 migration for the 20-29 age group. The unit of analysis was county. Multiple regression was used, and Lee’s model provided the theoretical framework. Analysis of Objective One revealed that: from 1970 to 1980, (1) South Dakota experienced total ne out-migration of 26,384 persons; (2) twelve five-year age categories experienced net out-migration; (3) the 20-29 age group accounted for 73 percent of the total net out-migrants; and (4) women out-migrated in larger numbers and at slightly later ages than men. Analysis of objective Two showed that: (1) South Dakota experienced net out-migration for both 1960s and 1970s; (2) net out-migration during the 1970s was less than the 1960s; (3) more age categories experienced net out-migration in the 1960s than in the 1970s; and (4) the 20-29 age group accounted for 40 percent of the total net out-migration in the 1960s, but for 73 percent of the total in the 1970s. Analysis of Objective Three revealed five socio-demographic factors accounted for 79 percent of the observed variation in the age 20-29 net migration in the state, including the rate of migration for the 20-29 age group in the 1960s, three employment characteristics, and median income level. For counties experiencing net in-migration for the 20-29 age group during the 1970s, median education levels accounted for 70 percent of the variation in the age 20-29 migration. Counties experiencing net out-migration for the 20-29 age group during the 1970s, median education levels accounted for 70 percent of the observed variation in the age 20-29 migration. Counties experiencing net out-migration for the 20-29 age group show that 78 percent of the observed variation in migration for that age group was accounted for by the age 20-29 migration rate in the 1960s, family status scores, median income levels, manufacturing employment rates, health status scores and housing availability