U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration

Current Population Reports Geographical Mobility:

Population Characteristics March 1996 to March 1997 (Update)

By Carol S. Faber

C E N S U S B U R E A U P20-510

Issued July 1998

DATA HIGHLIGHTS A paper version of these tables, along with related

historical tables, is available as PPL-104 for $38. To

Detailed tabulations are now available which pro- receive a paper copy, send your request for vide statistics on the geographical mobility of the “PPL-104, Geographical Mobility: March 1996 to noninstitutional population of the United States, March 1997,” along with a check or money order in based on the March 1997 Current Population Survey. the amount of $38 payable to Commerce-Cen- These tables provide information such as: sus-88-00-9010, to U.S. Department of Commerce,

 Bureau of the Census, P.O. Box 277943, Atlanta, GA Between March 1996 and March 1997, 42.1 million 30384-7943, or call our Statistical Information Office Americans (or 16 percent of the population) moved. on 301-457-2422. A copy of these tabulations will be Most movers (65.9 percent) stayed in the same made available to any existing CPR P20 subscriber county, 18.9 percent moved between counties

within the same state, and 15.2 percent changed without charge, provided that the request is made

states. within 3 months of the issue date of this update. Contact our Statistical Information Office on  The highest rates of moving were found among 301-457-2422.

young adults 20-to-29 years old (31.8 percent).

Moving rates declined as age increased: 21.3 per- For additional information on these topics, contact

cent for people 30-to-34 years old, 14.2 percent for Carol S. Faber or Kristin A. Hansen, Journey to Work those 35-to-44 years old, 9.4 percent for those and Migration Statistics Branch, on 301-457-2454 or 45-to-54 years old, 7.6 percent for those 55-to-64 via Internet E-mail (Carol.S.Faber@ccmail.census. years old, and only 4.7 percent for those 65 years gov). and over.

 The data in the detailed tables are estimates Whites had lower overall rates of moving (15.3 per- based on a sample survey (the Current Population cent) than either Blacks or people of Hispanic origin Survey), and are subject to sampling variability since (both approximately 20 percent). they are not based on a complete enumeration of the

 The South was the only region with a significant net population. For information on the source of the data,

change due to internal migration, as it gained the accuracy of the estimates, the use of standard er391,000 people from the other three regions. rors, and the computation of standard errors, contact

 Alfred Meier, Demographic Statistical Methods Divi- During the survey period, central cities lost 3.0 mil- sion (301-457-4220) or via Internet E-mail lion people due to migration, while the suburbs (Alfred.G.Meier@ccmail.census.gov). gained 2.8 million.

 1.3 million people moved to the United States from NOTICE TO USERS abroad. Around 92 percent of these movers went

to metropolitan areas. In order to keep you informed of the major findings from

 the Current Population Survey, short data updates will be Renters were more likely to move than homeown- made available in both printed and electronic forms for ers. About one-third of the people living in years when full reports are not produced. Additionally, the renter-occupied housing units in March 1997 had detailed tabulations that have been part of the printed re- moved in the previous year (32.9 percent) ports will be updated annually in electronic form on the compared with fewer than 1 in 10 people in owner- internet. If you wish to obtain the new tabulations for March occupied housing units (8.2 percent). 1997, updating Geographical Mobility: March 1995 to

March 1996 (Current Population Reports, P20-497),

DETAILED TABULATIONS please see the “Detailed Tabulations” section.

The set of detailed tabulations consists of 43 Our decision to modify the format of the P20 series is

based on a variety of factors. Ultimately, we hope this deci- tables from the 1997 CPS (165 pages) and four his- sion will provide users with more timely data on a wider torical tables. The electronic version of these tables variety of topics. If you have comments about this change is available on the Internet, at the Census Bureau’s or the P20 series in general, please contact us on the Inter- World Wide Web site(http://www.census.gov). Once net at: pop@census.gov, or write to: Chief, Population on the site, click on “Subjects A-Z,” then on “M,” and Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC

finally on “Migration.” 20233.