The Relative Effects of Economic and Noneconomic Factors on Age-Specific Migration, 1960-1980.

This paper examines the relative effects of a set of economic factors and three sets of noneconomic factors-demographic, public service and governmental, and socioeconomic factors-on 1960-1970 and 1970-1980 age-specific net migration rates for Texas counties. The results indicate that economic factors were clearly the most powerful predictors of migration during the 1960-1970 period. During the 1970-1980 period, economic determinants were still the most powerful predictors of migration levels for age groups over 40, but socioeconomic factors were the mot powerful predictors for those 10-29 years of age while demographic factors provided the best predictors for the 30-39 year-old group. Overall, the results suggest that economic factors have decreased, and noneconomic (particularly socioeconomic) factors have increased in importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]