Migration in the United States and Canada

The movement of people within a country or region. Migration! The movement of people within a country or region. For example, moving from Miami, Florida to Houston, Texas MOVING

PUSH Factors Act-it-out

PULL Factors Act-it-out

Why do people migrate within a country? PUSH FACTORS Economic Recession Economic Depression Disasters Crime High Cost of Living PULL FACTORS Family Economic Opportunity Better Education Safety Low Cost of Living

Economic Push Factors Recession – a period of decline in business activity. Depression – a long period of decline in business activity with rising levels of unemployment.

Urbanization Act-it-out

Urbanization The dramatic rise in the number of cities and the changes in lifestyle that result (movement of people from rural areas to urban areas)

Why Did Urbanization Occur? The Industrial Revolution transformed the United States from a rural, agricultural nation to an urban, industrial nation. When big factories and lots of jobs became available in the city, many citizens migrated from rural areas to urban centers.

Urban to Suburban Migration Act-it-out

Urban to Suburban Migration (Suburbanization) What are the suburbs? A political unit or community connected economically with, and surrounding, the central city Example: Jersey Village, Sugarland, and Tomball are suburbs of Houston.

Urban to Suburban Migration Beginning in the 1940’s large numbers of people began migrating from cities to surrounding suburbs. What pull and push factors could be responsible for this migration?

Technology affects Migration Irrigation A/C The invention of air conditioning in 1902 and the widespread use of irrigation opened up many hot and dry regions of the U.S. for increased migration and settlement.

Henry Ford and the Model T in 1921

Technology affects Migration The invention of automobile mass production by Henry Ford made the U.S. and Canada more mobile. People could now live further away from work and began to move to the suburbs. Increased mobility led to Urban Sprawl Poorly planned development that spreads a city’s population over a wider and wider geographic area

What is missing in this image of Houston?

Urban Sprawl What’s the Problem? Cheap gas encourages Urban Sprawl Many cities allow unrestricted growth which causes Urban Sprawl Has negative impacts on infrastructure Creates a separation of rich and poor Increases air and water pollution Must build more roads and other utilities

How does this aid Urban Sprawl?

What is missing in this image of Houston?

Urban Sprawl Can be solved through Smart Growth! Limit Growth of city through boundaries. Sustainable Communities, where people can live and work. Urban Renewal Restoring downtown neighborhoods.

Urban to Rural Migration Act-it-out

The newest migration pattern is… Urban to Rural Migration Technology (like the internet) allows people to work from home. – This allows people to live anywhere they want. People can now have a home office

Regional Differences

Political Differences Act-it-out

Political Differences Political Ideas – some people move based on political views. Example – the NE is more liberal (Democrats), the south is more conservative (Republicans).

Tax Differences Act-it-out

Tax Differences up to 10.5% Tax New York Texas 0% Tax 0% Tax Taxes – Some states pay both the federal income tax and a state income tax while others do not. Example – Texas has no state income tax, while New York City has a 10.5% combined State and Local income tax rate up to 10.5% Tax New York Texas 0% Tax 0% Tax

Climate Differences Act-it-out

Climate Differences Chicago Winter Miami Winter Climate – Retiring citizens often move to Southern states for a warmer climate Example – Moving from New York to Florida. Chicago Winter Miami Winter

Economic (JOB) Differences Act-it-out

Economic Differences Jobs – People will move where the best jobs are found Example: People moving from Detroit, Michigan to Houston, Tx in search of jobs

Economic Differences Cities in the Northeast (like Detroit) are losing jobs. While cities in the South (like Houston) are gaining jobs. Moving away from Detroit...Moving to Houston Detroit’s Economy Unemployment = 29% Household Income = $29,109 Pop. Change (since 2000) -11.9% Houston’s Economy Unemployment = 3.8% Household Income = $40,285 Pop. Change (since 2000) +19%

Rust Belt vs. Sun Belt (Northeast) (South) Old Industries New Industries

So how do Regional Differences impact migration? Northeast & Midwest South South People are moving from the Northeast & Midwest to the South

Detroit Population Changes over time Detroit Population Change Website! Current population (2008) is only 912,062 Detroit Video