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Demographic Programs

U.S. Census Bureau

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

P20-531

Geographical Mobility (Update)

Population Characteristics

March 1998

to

March 1999

Issued June 2000

Current

Population

Reports

By Carol S. Faber

Data Highlights than 1 in 10 people in owner-occupied

housing units (8.3 percent). Detailed tabulations are now available on

the geographical mobility of the civilian The Northeast had the lowest overall

noninstitutional population of the United moving rate (11.7 percent–well below

States, based on the March 1999 Current the national rate of 15.9 percent),

Population Survey (CPS). These tables followed by the Midwest (15.1 percent),

provide information such as: the South (17.1 percent), and the West

(18.5 percent).

Between March 1998 and March 1999, The South continued recent trends 42.6 million people (or 15.9 percent of as the only region with a significant the population) moved. Most movers increase due to internal migration, (59.3 percent) stayed in the same with a net gain of 270,000 people. county, 19.8 percent moved between

counties within the same state, 17.6 Detailed Tabulations

percent moved to a different state,

and 3.4 percent moved from abroad. The set of newly revised detailed tabulations consists of 30 tables from the 1999 Moving rates declined with age: 32.4 March CPS (422 pages) and 4 historical percent for people 20 to 29 years old, tables. The electronic version of these 22.8 percent for those 30 to 34, 14.1 tables is available on the Internet at the percent for those 35 to 44, 9.5 percent Census Bureau’s World Wide Web site for those 45 to 54, 6.7 percent for those (www.census.gov). Once on the site, go 55 to 64, and only 4.5 percent for those to “Subjects A-Z,” then click on “M,” and 65 and older. finally on “Migration.”

Rates of moving were lower for nonHispanic Whites (14.4 percent) than An abbreviated paper version (without the

for non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic race and geographic repeats) is available as

Asians and Pacific Islanders, and people PPL-132 for $38. To receive a paper copy,

of Hispanic origin–all of which were send a request for “PPL-132, Geographical

around 19.5 percent. Mobility: March 1998 to March 1999

(Update),” along with a check or money 1.4 million people moved to the United order in the amount of $38 payable to States from abroad: 40.1 percent were Commerce-Census-88-00-9010, to the U.S. non-Hispanic Whites, 31.6 percent Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, were of Hispanic origin, 21.5 percent P.O. Box 277943, Atlanta, GA 30384-7943, were non-Hispanic Asians and Pacific or call the Statistical Information Office on Islanders, and only 6.7 percent were 301-457-2422. A copy of these tabulations non-Hispanic Blacks. will be made available to any existing CPR

Renters had higher rates of moving than P20 subscriber without charge, provided

owners. About 1 in 3 people living in that the request is made within 3 months

renter-occupied housing units in March of the issue date of this update by contact1999 had moved in the previous year ing the Statistical Information Office on

(33.2 percent), compared with fewer 301-457-2422.
2 U.S. Census Bureau

For additional information on these Notice to Users variety of factors. Ultimately, it

topics, contact Carol S. Faber, is hoped that this decision will Short updates of major findings Journey to Work and Migration provide users with more timely from the Current Population Survey Branch, on 301-457-2454 or via data on a wider variety of topics. will be made available in both Internet e-mail, Comments about this change or printed and electronic form for Carol.S.Faber@ccmail.census.gov. the P20 series in general may be years when full reports are not made by contacting the Census produced. Additionally, the de- The data in the detailed tables are Bureau on the Internet at tailed tabulations that have been estimates based on a sample pop@census.gov, or by writing part of the printed reports will be survey and are subject to sampling to Chief, Population Division, U.S. updated annually in electronic form variability since they are not based Census Bureau, Washington, DC on the Internet. To obtain the new

on a complete enumeration of the 20233. tabulations for March 1999, which population. For information on the update Geographical Mobility: source of the data, the accuracy of March 1997 to March 1998 (Current

the estimates, or the use of stan- Population Reports, P20-520),

dard errors, contact Alfred Meier, please see the “Detailed TabulaDemographic Statistical Methods tions” section.

Division, at 301-457-4220 or on

the Internet at The decision to modify the format

Alfred.G.Meier@ccmail.census.gov. of the P20 series is based on a

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