THE EFFECT OF THE SOCIAL-WELFARE SYSTEM ON METROPOLITAN MIGRATION IN THE UNITED-STATES, BY INCOME GROUP, GENDER AND FAMILY-STRUCTURE

This research paper addresses some important issues regarding out-migration from and in-migration to metropolitan areas in the US, particularly the effect of the social welfare system on migration decisions. The primary focus is on migration by income group (poor versus non-poor), with a secondary focus on how gender and family status relate to migration. The results provide only very weak support for the hypothesis that social welfare benefits influence out-migration decisions (only of non-poor female-headed households), but moderate support for the effect of such benefits on inmigration decisions, especially of low-income and female-headed households.