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Economic, Social, and Regional Barriers in Appalachian Migration

Hockenberry, Jacklyn M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493770157096965

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Sociology (Arts and Sciences).
Research suggests that Appalachian migration patterns mirror those of rural migration patterns (Franklin 2003). The young, single, and highly educated tend to leave less prosperous areas in search of economic advancement (Franklin 2003). Understanding migration patterns sheds light on why rural areas might experience high rates of outmigration and issues such as brain drain. However, there is no research examining the migration patterns occurring within distressed and non-distressed regions of Appalachia. My study examines predictors for migration including unemployment rates, age, and educational attainment for distressed and non-distressed counties within Appalachia. Results of regression analysis on county-level and individual-level variables suggest unemployment and educational attainment rates affect migration possibilities out of distressed counties. Additionally, the distressed status of a county can be used as a predictor for migration mobility. Individuals who reside within distressed counties have limited mobility due to the increased likelihood they will end up in a distressed county later in life. Surprisingly, the age of an individual is not a predictor of which county someone is likely to move. In other words, being within the work force age (25-39) does not have a large impact on migration outcome. Examining migration patterns for distressed and non-distressed counties of Appalachia can help to build the literature regarding migration and provide more detail for which counties within Appalachia experience the most outmigration. By understanding which counties are being affected most by migration, new policy can be brought forward to improve residential retention and community life in Appalachian communities.
Cynthia Anderson (Committee Chair)
Howard Welser (Committee Co-Chair)
141 p.
Sociology
Appalachia; Distressed; Migration; County-level Migration

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hockenberry, J. M. (2017). Economic, Social, and Regional Barriers in Appalachian Migration [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493770157096965

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hockenberry, Jacklyn. Economic, Social, and Regional Barriers in Appalachian Migration . 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493770157096965.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hockenberry, Jacklyn. "Economic, Social, and Regional Barriers in Appalachian Migration ." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493770157096965

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1493770157096965
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.