Social Policy

Americans Moving Out of Cities

The nation's metropolitan areas are losing population. Americans in cities and suburbs alike are moving to rural environments, according to a report yesterday from the Census Bureau.

  • During the year ending March 1996, 275,000 more people moved from metropolitan areas -- defined as cities and suburbs -- than moved into them.

  • Cities lost 2.4 million and suburbs gained about 2.1 million.

  • For the period, some 16.3 percent of Americans moved -- down significantly from the more than 20 percent who relocated each year in the 1980s.

  • About 1.4 million people moved here from abroad -- just under one-third were Americans returning from overseas.

The highest moving rates were for people in their 20s and those who live in rental housing. One-third of renters moved during the year, compared with one in 12 people who owned their home.

Source: Associated Press, "Population Shrinking in Metropolitan Areas," Washington Times, December 4, 1997.


Home |  Support Us |  All Issues |  Social Security |  NCPA |  Contact Us

Dallas Headquarters: 12770 Coit Rd., Suite 800 - Dallas, TX 75251-1339 - 972/386-6272 - Fax 972/386-0924
Washington Office: 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 900 South Building - Washington, DC 20004 - 202/220-3082 - Fax 202/220-3096
© 2001 NCPA