Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Award Date

1972

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

First Advisor

Marvin P. Riley

Abstract

A study of the population profile for South Dakota for 1960 and 1970 was made to determine: (1) the changes that transpired in the composition 0£ the population for the age categories 0-4, 0-14, 15-34, 35-64, 65+ and 75+; (2) the variation in the changes observed in the selected age categories when controlled according to residence, sex and race differentials; and (3) the extent to which changes in the basic demographic components of migration, fertility and mortality are associated with changes in the age interval 0-4. Each county in South Dakota was employed as the unit of analysis, and census and vital data were aggregated and tabulated. General changes by number and percent in South Dakota's population from 1960 to 1970 by size, urban-rural distribution, expected natural increase and net migration were determined and analysed [sic] by state, county and planning district. Similarly, changes in number and rates for vital events reported for South Dakota from 1960 and 1970 were determined and compared. Changes in the population were determined according to age and such selected differentials as planning district, urban-rural residence, sex and race. The association between a set of demographic variables and the declines in the number of children under five from 1960 to 1970 for the State was hypothesized and analysed [sic] using a step-wise least squares multi-variate linear equation. The major findings and conclusions were: 1. South Dakota from 1960 to 1970 declined in population, continued previous patterns of rural depopulation, urbanization and net outmigration, experienced increases in nuptuality, and recorded declines in fertility and child mortality. Variations in losses appeared associated with such factors as large urban centers, reservation Indian populations, and adjacency to State private and public colleges and universities. 2. Changes by age categories varied considerably, the largest loss occurring in interval 0-4, the largest gain in the 15-34 young adult group, and other increases occurring in age intervals 65+ and 75+. These gains appeared associated with the advance of cohorts from younger age intervals to these age

categories during the decade. 3. Population redistribution from rural to urban centers was experienced in all age categories, the sex ratio declined markedly in the age dependent population, and the number of non-whites in proportion to whites increased in all categories except 75+. Urban communities appeared to have greater ability to attract selectively newcomers and to retain population levels than did rural places and farm areas. Changes in the age-sex composition of the population appeared associated with differential mortality and fertility and with selective migration.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

South Dakota -- Population
South Dakota -- Statistics, Vital

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

169

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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