Distance of Return and Onward Migration: Race/Ethnic Comparisons

Yan Guo, Utah State University
E. Helen Berry, Utah State University
Michael B. Toney, Utah State University
Sandra T. Marquart-Pyatt, Utah State University

One of the strongest relationships in migration research is between prior and subsequent migration, with prior migrants more likely to move than those who have not. Onward (to a new destination) and return (to a prior residence) migrations are two forms of "repeat" migration and are viewed as centrally important for assimilation/upward mobility for race/ethnic groups. Following push-pull and classic economic/geographic migration models, distance between origin/destination is known to be a barrier to migration and to influence the selectivity and efficiency of migration streams. The NLSY79 is used to compare the distance of onward and return migrations by Hispanics, blacks and whites in a multivariate analysis that controls characteristics of migrants and of places of destination and origin and age, education, marriage, length of residence, employment, income. Evidence indicates blacks and Hispanics move in quite different patterns than whites, suggesting that distance of onward vs. repeat moves may also differ.