"This study uses the theory of demographic response as the background against which regional human migration is examined as a response to selected environmental conditions for the 1,056 counties in the North Central Region [of the United States]. Specifically, this study addresses two migration-related questions concerning county populations in the North Central Region: (1) What are the socioeconomic, demographic, and ecological factors to which county populations respond in adjusting their migration behavior? (2) Do socially important age cohorts respond to these factors differently or in a similar manner?" Factors affecting migration are employment status, income levels, educational status, ethnic group, residence location, marital status, home ownership, and age. Data are from the U.S. Census Bureau for the period 1965-1970.
The author presents an alternative to the human capital framework for the analysis of migration behavior. A model based on the expected utility hypothesis is developed in order to analyze the effects of changing regional economic conditions on migration behavior
