State Migration (Mitchell, Huron: houses, unemployment rate, school districts)

[Jammie]

Net-migration numbers dire for most counties in South Dakota |* The Daily Republic *| Mitchell, South Dakota

This was quite an interesting article. Stats are showing just exactly what you'd think when you read the posts on here. A huge majority of the people are heading for Sx. Falls OR for the Hills area.

There was another interesting article in today's paper about unemployment trends for the upper Midwest. It said they were projecting that the UP of Michigan would show the highest unemployment rates in one year. So. Dak. ranked at a projected 4.2%. Those were all estimates made before the Stimulus package passed. If anyone can find the link, that'd be cool.

[SDHomesteader]

14.84 Negative Net Migration in Harding County, Imagine that. According to the superintendent of the School here HArding County is growing so much we need that 14 million dollar new school.

[DannyBanany]

Looks like typical urban flight. Rural communties don't offer enough work so people are moving to cities. I only foresee this happening more and more. Just think of little towns that were once fairly active and are now completely dead. It's very common.

[belami28]

Did Huron ever get their turkey processing plants up and running? They thought they might have a huge hispanic influx. Might be thier only hope in not losing population.

[debey]

Originally Posted by belami28

Did Huron ever get their turkey processing plants up and running? They thought they might have a huge hispanic influx. Might be thier only hope in not losing population.

It's up. and running. and has already completed an expansion project.

Huron, SD~~Population in July 2007: 10,902. Population change since 2000: -9.3%
http://www.city-data.com/city/Huron-South-Dakota.html

[DeadwoodJ]

I wonder if this survey takes into account students leaving or coming for college? Still seeing these numbers make you think the bill thats going through the legislature right now about consolidating counties is actually a far-sighted thing? But that can't happen with some of our elected officials can it?

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by SDHomesteader

14.84 Negative Net Migration in Harding County, Imagine that. According to the superintendent of the School here HArding County is growing so much we need that 14 million dollar new school.

I am a GIS expert and study demographics. I don't see any figures in Harding County that would support the need to financially strap taxpayers for a 14 million dollar school. I would suggest that you ask the town for an explanation.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Net-migration numbers dire for most counties in South Dakota |* The Daily Republic *| Mitchell, South Dakota

This was quite an interesting article. Stats are showing just exactly what you'd think when you read the posts on here. A huge majority of the people are heading for Sx. Falls OR for the Hills area.

There was another interesting article in today's paper about unemployment trends for the upper Midwest. It said they were projecting that the UP of Michigan would show the highest unemployment rates in one year. So. Dak. ranked at a projected 4.2%. Those were all estimates made before the Stimulus package passed. If anyone can find the link, that'd be cool.

This is a great article Jammie. As a native of the Great Plains I have traveled all over many rural areas stretching from the Dakotas down through Kansas. It is very depressing sometimes to go through so many small towns that look entirely vacated. I would suspect out-migration rates are the highest in the most remote rural counties in ND, SD, NE, and KS.

[Wicked Felina]

I hope this isn't too far off-topic, Jammie. I didn't think so, but it relates to the entire country rather than just your area. I am far from being an expert, or even somewhat knowledgeable, just an interested 'civilian'.

GraniteStater:

I heard a wildlife biologist discussing this subject. This is what I understood from his conversation: This population shift, from rural to urban areas, is occurring throughout our hemisphere and, in fact, all over the world. There is a projected mass movement of population from certain areas in South America northward. As our water supplies lessen and crop fields experience droughts (a result of climate change), cities and in particular the Pacific Northwest will become overburdened with people. The Pacific Northwest will become the main 'breadbasket' of North America, and its crop lands will change from multiple crops to one or two (wheat, and the Hood River valley will remain in production of apples).

What is your opinion on this? I am aware that it is a projection, but it is based upon scientific data (which I certainy do not understand). BTW, the biologist was referring to a scientific symposium on climate change that he'd attended.

I'd also read somewhere (I'll try to find the link) that the city of Sitka, Alaska has already or is going to sell water rights to melting ice. The rights were sold to a Canadian firm, I believe.

I'm curious to know what your take is on this. I read the article that Jammie posted, and it falls in line with what this man was saying a couple of years ago. Thank you!

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am a GIS expert and study demographics. I don't see any figures in Harding County that would support the need to financially strap taxpayers for a 14 million dollar school. I would suggest that you ask the town for an explanation.

I agree, but often school districts don't use logic. What they DO use is the "child pity tactic". "Would you let these poor little children go to a building that is dangerous and inadequate?" It's been happening throughout the state for quite some time now. OR~the previous generations all built schoolhouses for YOU and now it's YOUR turn to do it for the next generation. It really doesn't matter if the student numbers are there or not.

AND rumor has it that the turkey plant is such an awful place to work that even the illegals don't wanna work there. Kinda funny, but supposedly there's something to it. Maybe Debey would know more.

SeeBee, I see where you're coming from and I don't think it's off topic at all. Wish I had answers for you, but maybe Granite has some incite on it.