THE RECENT REVIVAL OF WIDESPREAD POPULATION-GROWTH IN NONMETROPOLITANAREAS OF THE UNITED-STATES

Population growth was widespread in nonmetropolitan (nonmetro) areas o f the United States during the early 1990s. More than 64 percent of th e 2,277 nonmetro counties gained population between 1990 and 1992, com pared with only 45 percent in the 1980s. The nonmetro population still grew at a slower pace than did the metropolitan population, but the g ap was much narrower than during the 1980s. Net migration gains accoun ted for 43 percent of the total estimated nonmetro population increase of 879,000 between 1990 and 1992. These findings suggest it is premat ure to conclude that the renewed population growth in nonmetro areas f irst noted in the 1970s has ended.