Gv. Fuguitt et Cl. Beale, THE CHANGING CONCENTRATION OF THE OLDER NONMETROPOLITAN POPULATION, 1960-90, Journal of gerontology, 48(6), 1993, pp. 278-288
Changes in the absolute and relative size of the elderly population si
nce 1960 are decomposed into the underlying demographic components for
metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas and for nonmetropolitan subreg
ions of the United States. Specifically, we examine the components of
net migration and natural increase for those aged 0-64 and those 65 or
older. Generally, the natural increase component for those 65 and ove
r has increased since 1960, whereas that for those under 65 has declin
ed. Metropolitan areas have consistently lost, and nonmetropolitan are
as gained elderly migrants. Trends in elderly population change are fa
r from uniform across nonmetropolitan America. In general, the ''aging
'' of the nonmetropolitan population was predominantly due to elderly
migration during the 1970-80 decade, and to the loss of young people b
oth before and afterward. Recent trends give little support for the vi
ew that the 1970s was the beginning of a new phase of deconcentrated s
ettlement, even for elderly persons.