Return Migration to Appalachian Kentucky: An Atypical Case of Nonmetropolitan Migration Reversal.

CUMBERLAND Mountains; KENTUCKY; UNITED States

Since 1970, the long historic trend of net out-migration from Eastern, Kentucky has reversed to one of substantial net in-migration. Correspondingly, the past trend toward a more Concentrated settlement pattern has shifted to one of greater uniformity. These population changes have little to do with a revitalized coal economy, economic growth, or diversification, nor do they reflect the characteristics of the nationwide pattern of movement from metro to nonmetro areas. This research suggest that the migration reversal is primarily attributed to return migrants many of whom are moving to the most isolated parts of the Cumberland Plateau. An important factor affecting recent in-migration appears to be the influence of the stem family that encourages many former residents to return to the old homestead to wait out the economic hard times plaguing the cities of the North Central states. There is little evidence to suggest that enough economic improvement has taken place in Appalachian Kentucky to prevent a massive out-migration from recurring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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