The Migration Patterns in Minnesota - Essay Example

The migration patterns for 4 counties in Minnesota in Introduction Political, economic and social changes are crucial factors that influence voluntary migration in the USA. Voluntary migration refers to the movement of migrants through their own free will to a different region away from their motherland, or back to their motherland after being away for a period of time (World Savvy Monitor, n.p.). Most often, voluntary migration is motivated by the search for a better life, which bears economic reasons as the underlying principle. It might occur in form of migrant labor, where an individual might move from their original places in search for a better life, or chain immigration, where the other family members also move to follow the primary immigrant in their newly found place of residence (World Savvy Monitor, n.p.). There are various reasons that may trigger voluntary migration. These factors include a high cost of living in an individual’s motherland, harsh and unproductive climatic and environmental conditions, as well as purely for adventure and exploration. Discussion Migration patterns in Blue Earth County (Mankato) in 2010 The most interesting aspect of migration in the Blue Earth County is that; the counties that send immigrants into this county are relatively equal to those that receive the immigrants from the county (Forbes, n.p.). The uniqueness in the migration patterns in Blue Earth County is that all those counties sending more immigrants into Blue Earth County than they receive from the county, are situated within the Minnesota State (Forbes, n.p.). Additionally, all the states outside Minnesota where Blue Earth County’s population migrate are found to take more of its migrants, than they send to this county. Another observable pattern regarding the migration in Blue Earth County is that its population tends to migrate to the States that are close to Minnesota, while avoiding those far away. Therefore, it is evident that most of the population within in Blue Earth County finds it easier to seek for a better life outside Minnesota State, compared to those who move from other States to seek for a better life in the county. The inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita, a clear explanation why many people are migrating to other counties, compared to those coming into the Blue Earth County (Forbes, n.p.). Another possible explanation for this migration pattern is that; the standards of living could be better, while the costs of living could be lower in other states, compared to Minnesota, prompting more people to move to other states, than people from other states comes into the county. Migration patterns in Olmstead County (Rochester) in 2010 The migration patterns in Olmstead County indicate that there is a higher percentage of the counties that receives immigrants from this county, compared to those that Olmstead County receives (Forbes, n.p.). The other notable observation regarding the migration patterns in this county is that; it has the tendencies of sending its population to the States that are further away from Minnesota State. Additionally, a unique migration patter observable in Olmstead County is that it only receives more of immigrants from the counties and states that are nearby, than it sends. The inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita, which serves to explain why many people are moving out of the county to other counties, compared to the ones the county is receiving (Forbes, n.p.). All indications point to the fact that the economic situation of many counties outside Minnesota State is better compared to that of Olmstead County, thus motivating many people to migrate from this county to other counties and states, further away. The most plausible explanation for the migration pattern in the Olmstead County is that; the cost of living in this county is much higher than that of other counties outside Minnesota State, an explaining why many people are moving from the county to others, compared to those coming in. Migration patterns in Dakota County (Egan) in 2010 The migration patterns in Dakota County (Egan) in 2010 suggested that it is among the busiest county within Minnesota State, in regards to the movement of people, since there is a high rate of inflow and outflow of immigrants from and to this county, almost in equal measure. However, an aspect that is unique with the migration pattern in Dakota County is that; it has a wide spread array of movements, with people moving to and from counties and states far away, almost in a balanced proportion as those migrating to and from the counties and states nearby (Forbes, n.p.). The only difference is that there are slightly more people moving far away from the county, compared to those coming in, since the counties receiving more immigrants from Dakota County are wide spread than those sending more immigrants. The inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita, which is a good explanation why there are relatively more people who tend to migrate from the county, than the ones coming in (Forbes, n.p.). Additionally, this migration pattern can be accounted for, by the existence of better living conditions and low cost of living in other counties, compared to Dakota County. Migration patterns in Hennepin County (Minneapolis) in 2010 The migration pattern in Hennepin County is unique in the sense that the county sends and receives migrants from almost every state within the USA. However, the migration out of the county ranks the highest relative to the migration into the county, while the inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita (Forbes, n.p.). The other notable migration pattern in Hennepin County is that; it shows a robust migration into counties and states that are outside Minnesota State, compared to the movement into and from the counties and states closer to the county. There are varied explanations to this migration patter, among them being the fact that there could be higher standards of living and low cost of living in counties and states far away from Hennepin County. Another explanation to this notable pattern could be the issue of congestion and high population density within the county, which necessitates the search for more spacious and less congested settlements by the inhabitants of the population. This make them move to the counties that are far away. Conclusion Voluntary migration characterizes the movement from one home to another out of an immigrant’s free will. However, it can also be motivated by different factors, which may include the search for a better life, exploration and adventure, as well as moving away from unsuitable climatic and environmental conditions. The migration patterns for four counties in Minnesota in 2010 serves to indicate that voluntary migration in the USA is common. Works Cited Forbes. American Migration Interactive Map, n.d. Retrieved: 2013, October 12. http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2011/migration.html World Savvy Monitor. Human Migration, 7, January 2009. 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