Migration patterns of residents in a high in-migration county, Hamblen County, Tennessee

In the present study data from a 1968 survey of household heads residing in Hamblen County, Tennessee, a high net immigration county were analyzed. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine the migration pattern of residents, (2) determine whether migrants from various areas have different social and economic characteristics, and (3) determine the reasons for migration to Hamblen County. Data were obtained by personal interview on 575 male household heads and 87 female household heads residing in Hamblen County. Area random sampling was used to select dwelling units. A response rate of 98.2 percent was obtained. Male household heads reared in other areas had significantly higher educational levels, more home improvement items, higher individual income, higher family income, and higher job classifications than natives and migrants from adjacent counties. For instance, the average family income was $8,700 for migrants from other areas, $6,310 for Hamblen County natives, and $5,897 for migrants from adjacent counties. Male household heads who were reared in adjacent counties had lower educational levels, fewer home improvement items, lower individual income, lower family income, and lower job classifications than Hamblen County natives although none of the differences were statistically significant. The ages of male heads by area where reared indicated no significant differences. Differences in the social characteristics of the 87 female household heads by area where reared were minor and not consistent. Reasons for migration of the male household heads fell into two main categories—work connected and social. A higher paying job and transferred by employer were the main work-connected reasons while having relatives in Hamblen County was the main social reason. A work-connected reason was listed as the most important reason for migration by 29 percent of the Hamblen County natives, 58 percent of migrants from adjacent counties, and 73 percent of migrants from other areas. Occupational changes often occurred with migration to Hamblen County. The primary shifts were an increase in factory workers from 70 to 116, a decrease of males who were students or in military service from 16 to 1, and a decrease in number of unemployed individuals from 17 to 6. In addition, 10 male heads were retired at the time of migration. Of the 575 male heads surveyed, 532 were married. In 321 cases only the husband was employed, in 203 cases both husband and wife were employed, and in eight cases neither husband nor wife was employed. Educational level was higher for the wife and age lower for both spouses when both spouses worked. Level of living of the household was higher when both worked. Average annual income of the male head was greater, however, when only the husband was employed, $6,226 compared to when both were employed, $5,228. However, total family income was higher for households where both spouses were employed, $7,949, than where only the male head was employed, $6,366