Residential Relocation of Older People

Abstract

Using the 1970 one percent Public Use Sample tapes, the metropolitan/nonmetropolitan migration of persons age 60 and over are examined in this article. Between 1965 and 1970 they largely moved within the same general environmental settings. More than half of both intrastate and interstate migrants moved between or within metropolitan settings. Of the third who changed residential environments, 6% more moved from metropolitan to nonmetropolitan areas than the reverse. Thus, the turnaround is evident in these data. Concerning migrant characteristics, those moving to nonmetropolitan settings tended to be married and living independently. They also had more education and income than elderly nonmovers. They thus contributed to the gentrification of nonmetropolitan America. Some evidence of a more dependent elderly population moving to the metropolitan areas from outside them is seen in the data and its implications discussed.