Isolating the Effect of Natural Amenities on Population Change at the Local Level

Abstract

Isolating the effect of natural amenities on population change at the local level, Regional Studies. As latent production inputs, natural amenities are thought to serve as the basis for a variety of regional effects. In this study, natural amenity and socio-economic conditions were analysed with respect to population growth empirically estimated at the municipal level in an amenity-rich lakes region of the North Central United States from 1970 to 2000 with a specific focus on spatial relationships. The limited results suggest mixed effects that confirm an increased amenity influence as one of many factors that drive localized population change.

Population Change and Its Driving Factors in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas of Wisconsin, USA, 1970–2000

“…Wisconsin experienced metropolitan growth in the 1980s mainly due to economic disruptions such as the farm debt crisis, deindustrialization, and urban revival. The economic perspective of livability was more appreciated than the seasonal housing perspective in economic downturn [8]. In 1990-2000, however, seasonal housing units played a stronger role than wealth, education, and modernization did.…”

“…A wide range of results is possible by omitting relevant factors and influences from empirical models [7]. Therefore, because the various studies tend to focus on specific factors and influences within disciplinary boundaries and omit others, the existing research on population change often generates different and sometimes conflicting findings [8]. This had led to a gap in the literature of a systematic view of population change.…”

“…Regional scientists, demographers, human geographers, and researchers in other disciplines have studied the mechanism and driving factors of population change and found a variety of factors that cause the changes (see [8,16] for a review of the literature). In many studies, these factors are chosen by a specific disciplinary perspective rather than an integrated perspective informed by multiple disciplines.…”

“…When the principal determinants change, population redistribution patterns also change. These factors can be characterized in broad realms, including demographic characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, transportation accessibility, natural amenities, and policies and biophysical conditions related to land use and development [8].…”

Dynamics of land-use change and conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States: environmental and economic implications with linkages to rural community well-being

“…Again, the research largely suggests that no single set of characteristics differentiates high outmigration counties (for example, Cromartie, 1998;McGranahan, 1999;Irwin and others, 2010;McGranahan and others, 2010;Chi and Marcouiller, 2011). While some rural counties experiencing outmigration struggle with high unemployment, low education, and high poverty, a majority of rural counties suffering from population decreases have a relatively well-educated resident base and below-average unemployment rates when compared to other parts of the country.…”