2007 Migration Report: Migration in
Greater Kansas City and its Peer Metros

Throughout our nation’s history, population shifts have been common occurrences. Americans have always been on the move — from east to west, from north to south, from farm to city, from city to suburb. We are free to choose where we want to live and raise our families.

What makes people move from one region to another? Many things may factor into the decision to relocate — job opportunities, climate, proximity to friends and family — but ultimately people choose the region they believe will ­provide the greatest opportunity for a better quality of life. In general, regions with high rates of population growth can be seen as having abundant opportunities, while areas with more stagnant growth or declining population are seen to be lacking in opportunities.

Population change can come from two sources: natural growth or decline, or births minus deaths; and migration, or the number of people moving into a region minus the number who move out. Of the two, migration tells us more about the perceived opportunities in a given region, since migration involves choice.

Careful study of migration trends offers insight into which parts of the country are providing the most opportunities — those gaining net migrants — and which are not.

Measuring Migration>>