[Population-census] Migration of Young Single College Graduates

[Ken Darga]

The latest product update from the Census Bureau includes data on
migration rates of young single college graduates between 1995 and 2000.
 For purposes of this data product, "young" is defined as age 25-39.

Spreadsheets are available on the Census Bureau's website at:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/phc-t34.html


HIGHLIGHTS:

- This population segment is extremely mobile.  Only 25% of the young
single college graduates counted by the 2000 Census were still living in
the same residence at which they had lived five years earlier.
 
* Michigan lost considerably more young single college graduates than
it gained (42,700 vs. 26,600).  However, our net migration rate for this
population segment was only somewhat below the national median, ranking
29th among the 50 states.

- Michigan did fairly well in retaining this segment of its population.
 Of the young single college graduates counted by the 2000 Census who
reported living in Michigan five years earlier, 77% were still living in
Michigan.  Michigan's retention rate ranks 9th in the nation, and it
compares favorably with the 69% average for all states.  Our high
retention of this population segment is already an area of strength, but
with 42,700 living elsewhere there is still much room for improvement. 


- Young single college graduates who came to Michigan from other states
between 1995 and 2000 represented only 0.3% of our total population
(i.e. three-tenths of one percent).  This percentage compares
unfavorably with the 0.6% average for all states, and it ranks 45th
nationwide.  

- The Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint metropolitan area had the lowest rate of
net loss among Michigan's metro areas.  It had 27,400 young single
college graduates who had moved in from other areas since 1995, while
other areas had 28,600 who had moved from Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint.  
This rate of net loss ranks 85th among the nation's 276 metro areas. 
The Grand Rapids-Holland-Muskegon metro area was not far behind with a
rank of 87.  

- The Lansing-East Lansing metro had the highest rate of net loss in
the state.  It had only 4,200 young single college graduates from other
areas while other areas had 9,800 who had moved from Lansing-East
Lansing.  This ranks 249th among the nation's 276 metro areas..  Many of
these people are graduates of Michigan State University who moved to
other communities in Michigan.


Michigan's out-migrants include a significant number of young people
who leave Michigan for education or military service in other states. 
Likewise, our in-migrants include a significant number of former
residents who are returning from school or military service.










-- Kenneth Darga, State Demographer
   Library of Michigan
   DargaK at michigan.gov