Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2006

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Rural Sociology

Abstract

This research project is an investigation of the indicators of net-migration at the county level for three states in the Northern Great Plains (Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The goals of this research are two fold: 1) to examine the proposed association between selected county level characteristics and net-migration rates at the county level and 2) to explain these relationships and the demographic situation of the Northern Great Plains through the integration of two major theories; Lee's Push-pull Theory (1966) and Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory (1974). The relationships are tested through the use of secondary data that was obtained from the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Census Bureau, and the state and census data centers of the three states under investigation. Results show support for all of the research hypotheses. Geographic isolation and a dependency on resource extraction were among the strongest indicators of county level or county specific net-migration rates. Counties classified as Core Counties also displayed higher and more positive rates than those counties that were classified as Semiperiphery or Periphery Counties.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Migration, Internal -- Great Plains

Nebraska -- Population

North Dakota -- Population

South Dakota -- Population

Great Plains -- Social conditions

Great Plains -- Economic conditions

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

129

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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