Census Trend Charts Demographic Maps Rankings & Comparisons Segregation Data  

Zoom in and out of geography at levels: US, States or Metro Areas, and Counties within States.

You can zoom out to Wisconsin


Visit the SSDAN Web Site
CensusScope is a product of the Social Science Data Analysis Network.

Polk County

Print-Friendly Version

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 23,884 61.45%
Different house 14,984 38.55%
Same county 7,624 19.62%
Different county 7,183 18.48%
Same state 2,881 7.41%
Different State 4,302 11.07%
Elsewhere in 1995* 177 0.46%
Total Population Age 5+ 38,868 100.00%

Migration, 1990: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census
Residence in 1985 Number Percent
Same house 20,039 62.17%
Different house 12,192 37.83%
Same county 7,034 21.82%
Different county 5,096 15.81%
Same state 1,991 6.18%
Different State 3,105 9.63%
Elsewhere in 1985* 62 0.19%
Total Population Age 5+ 32,231 100.00%

* "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