Locational Preferences and Opportunity Costs in a Lagging Region: A Study of High School Seniors

Niles M. Hansen and Richard Yukhin

Journal of Human Resources, 1970, vol. 5, issue 3, 341-353

Abstract: This study analyzes the locational preferences of 625 graduating seniors in one of the nation's poorest areas, the Big Sandy Region of Eastern Kentucky. These preferences are examined under differing interregional wage rate assumptions for their home region, northern metropolitan areas, and Lexington and Louisville, intermediate areas in Kentucky. The findings indicate that although family considerations are still important in influencing migration paths, especially for those who do not go to college, there is considerable sensitivity to relative wages in location preferences and expectations. There is a high degree of willingness and readiness to move to areas offering better economic opportunities, and a clear tendency to prefer intermediate areas between the lagging rural area and northern metropolitan areas. The results support policies which would give potential migrants skills and training to match job opportunities in intermediate areas, as well as comprehensive relocation assistance.

Date: 1970
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:5:y:1970:i:3:p:341-353

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