Macon, GA

MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION


An essential value of the American lifestyle is the freedom of mobility. The Census asks respondents to identify if they lived in the same residence 5 years prior to the survey. If not, they are asked the location of their previous residence. Between 1995 and 2000, only 54.13 percent of Americans remained in the same house. This rate has been fairly steady: between 1985 and 1990, 53.29 percent remained in the same house.

Regionally, the rates differ greatly. Nevada’s population was the most mobile. About 62.6 percent of Nevada residents in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of the Nevadans living in different houses, 40.2 percent were new arrivals to the state. On the other hand, Pennsylvania’s population was the most permanent. Only 36.5 percent of Pennsylvanians in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of these people, only 15.8 percent were new arrivals to Pennsylvania.


Migration, 2000: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census
Residence in 1995 Number Percent
Same house 157,737 52.64%
Different house 141,925 47.36%
Same county 73,991 24.69%
Different county 62,751 20.94%
Same state 32,503 10.85%
Different State 30,248 10.09%
Elsewhere in 1995* 5,183 1.73%
Total Population Age 5+ 299,662 100.00%

Migration, 1990: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census
Residence in 1985 Number Percent
Same house 136,840 50.95%
Different house 131,739 49.05%
Same county 72,749 27.09%
Different county 55,482 20.66%
Same state 29,576 11.01%
Different State 25,906 9.65%
Elsewhere in 1985* 3,508 1.31%
Total Population Age 5+ 268,579 100.00%

* "Elsewhere" includes those living in U.S. Island Areas, in foreign countries, and at sea.

Source: Census 2000 analyzed by the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN).

Home | About | Help | Contact | Use Policy