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The Tri-State Development Regional Report
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JUNE 2024 | Issue 19

Upcoming Events

JUNE

19 JUNETEENTH. Please check community event calendars around the region. There are many events and festivities planned to celebrate this important occasion.

20 Summer Solstice Today is the longest day of the year!

JULY

4 Independence Day, Tri-State Development offices will be closed for the holiday on July 4th and July 5th.

26 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony

October 2-3, 2024
Catfish Bend Convention & Event Center
Burlington, Iowa

Click here to register

Please consider sponsoring the 2024 Tri-State Development Summit. Your partnership helps fund the activities, meetings, tools, programs, and work of Tri-State Development all year long.

Sponsorship levels can be viewed by clicking here.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Join us for

  • impactful networking opportunities
  • informative economic discussions
  • engaging break out sessions
  • new ideas and strategies

For more information about the 2024 Summit, including hotel information, visit our website at: culver.edu/tsd

Navigating the Shift: Understanding the Dynamics of our Regional Rural Population Migration


In recent months there have been several attention-grabbing headlines about positive growth in rural populations. It’s encouraging to know that more people have moved or are moving from urban to rural areas, resulting in a modest gain that can be attributed to net domestic migration. This month, we will explore these migration patterns in the Tri-State Development region.

 

Our isolated location, with a significant distance between our counties and major metropolitan areas, tells a little different story, providing insightful glimpses into the shifting demographics and evolving landscapes of the counties that we call home.

 

The latest data presented by the Census Bureau, which incorporates data from 2016-2020 reveals dynamic population flows influenced by several factors including economic opportunities, housing affordability, lifestyle preferences, and remote work trends. As urban centers continue to flourish, many individuals and families are seeking the tranquility and lower living costs of suburban and rural areas.


Movements from county to county and from state to state have profound implications for local economies, housing markets, infrastructure planning, and social services. Understanding these patterns is important for policymakers, businesses, and communities as they work to adapt and thrive. By analyzing these migration flows, stakeholders can better anticipate needs and opportunities within their counties, ensuring sustainable growth and enhanced quality of life across the nation.


In order to facilitate sustainable and thriving rural communities in the Tri-State Development region, it is essential to adopt a collaborative and practical approach towards understanding migration trends. This will enable us to attract people from both near and far, and ensure their satisfaction with making our region their home.

ON THE MOVE: REGIONAL MIGRATION TRENDS

What does the data show?

Migration flows in and out of the state are typically attributed to a combination of factors such as economic opportunities, wages and job prospects, cost of living, affordable and available housing, and tax implications for retirees. Migration flows in and out of counties within the same state are often attributed to the same factors, but are more heavily influenced by housing and also proximity to family, highly-rated school districts, and social networks.


The table below may certainly test your eyesight and tolerance for numbers, but we will break it down in the insights offered below. If you are interested in an expanded view of the data table, click here. You can explore the in and out migration flows available in the recently released U.S. Census Bureau report by clicking here. The interactive map will provide you with information about movement in and out of your county, where people are coming from and where they are moving.

The Data Insights

  • Among the 36 counties of the Tri-State region, our net population between the 2020 census and the estimated 2023 population declined by over 14,000 people, or 2.2% and can be attributed to the estimated declines in 23 of our 36 counties, or roughly 64%.


  • As we might expect within a region that crosses 3 state borders, inbound and outbound migration from across state lines is significant with inbound population averaging 30% migration from out of state and outbound population averaging 35%. 


  • In Lewis County, Missouri, where Culver-Stockton College and Tri-State Development are located, net migration patterns show an inbound migration flow of 893 people with 56% coming from out of state, 42% coming from another county in Missouri, and 2% relocating from abroad. 58% of the population that moved away from Lewis County relocated to a different state, while 42% moved to a different county in Missouri.


  • In our Tri-State region, Des Moines County, Iowa and Adams County, Illinois experienced the largest inbound migration totals of the number of people moving in from another state at 1,126 and 1,080 people respectively. As a percentage of population, nearly 72% of inbound migration into Scotland County, Missouri came from out of state. Clark County, Missouri and Hancock County, Illinois also experienced high percentages of inbound migration with 66% of new families moving in from out of state.


  • Regionally, McDonough County, Illinois saw the highest population increase from other counties in Illinois of 2,221. Adair County, Missouri was the county with the highest regional Missouri inbound county to county flow and Henry County experienced the highest county to county flow among our Iowa regional counties.


  • In total, McDonough County, Illinois experienced the highest number of inflow population with an increase of 3,282 people followed by Des Moines County, Iowa with an inbound flow of 2,099 and Adair County, Missouri with 2,901. Keep in mind that McDonough County, Illinois, Des Moines County, Iowa, and Adair County, Missouri, are home to colleges and universities. Student populations can attribute to skewed data.


  • Jefferson County, Iowa led the region with the number of inbound residents relocating from abroad. Maharishi International University with a total enrollment of over 2700 students from over 75 different countries is located in Fairfield, Iowa which is part of Jefferson County. Other regional counties who welcomed a substantial number residents from abroad include Wapello County, Iowa, Cass County, Illinois, and Adair County, Missouri.


  • During this same period, 35% of residents who moved out of the Tri-State Development region moved to a different state, while 64% moved to a different county within the same state.


  • Regionally, the counties who experienced the highest rates of outbound migration as a percentage of total population include McDonough County, Illinois (25%) and Brown County, Illinois (11.5%).


Here are some other interesting things to note:

  • In Lewis County, Missouri, most of those who moved into the area from out of state (not including Illinois or Iowa) came from California, followed by Alabama.


  • During this period, Des Moines County, Iowa attracted a whopping 49 people from Alaska.


  • Adams County, Illinois attracted new residents from 23 different states, not including Missouri and Iowa.


  • Scotland County, Missouri was an attractive relocation for people coming from Rochester, New York, and the surrounding area.

Why should we pay attention to migration patterns?


Migration patterns are not just numbers; they tell a story about the economic health, opportunities, and challenges of a region. By understanding these patterns, we can make informed decisions that drive economic growth, enhance quality of life, and build sustainable communities in the Tri-State Development region. Whether it’s attracting new businesses, planning for housing, or developing workforce skills, migration data is an insightful tool for steering important economic development initiatives.

How can migration data help direct economic activity?


Knowing which of our communities are experiencing population growth or decline allows for better planning and allocation of public services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.


Areas with increasing populations can attract businesses and investors looking for a growing customer base and labor force, while understanding out-migration can help identify communities that should focus on designing and implementing revitalization strategies.


Migration data can help reveal the types of skills and professions that are moving into or out of rural areas, allowing for tailored workforce development programs that align with the needs of employers.


Tracking migration helps in predicting housing needs and trends, ensuring that there is an adequate supply of housing to meet demand. This can help prevent , or at least mitigate housing shortages or oversupply, which can destabilize local economies.


Migration data can be useful in guiding zoning decisions and infrastructure projects to support sustainable growth.


Migration patterns help identify changing community needs. For example, an inbound growing population of young families might necessitate more childcare services and schools, while an aging population might require more healthcare facilities.


Understanding who is moving into an area and the value they provide can help design programs that facilitate community integration, promote a welcoming community, and reduce potential tensions between newcomers and long-term residents.


Policymakers can use migration data to create targeted policies that address the root causes of out-migration, such as wage gaps, lack of job opportunities, poor infrastructure, or inadequate services.


There are federal and state grant programs that consider population trends as a factor. Accurate migration data ensures that our rural areas receive their fair share of funding and support.

BIG NEWS COMING SOON!


We will be making a BIG announcement very soon regarding the counties of the Tri-State Development region. But like any news worth waiting for, we want to build a little hype. Trust us, it's big! It's exciting! It's going to make a difference!


GET READY, TRI-STATE REGION!


NEW HOUSING DATA RELEASED

Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data on the nations housing stock, a hot topic in our region and nationally the past few years. To explore the housing stock data in your county, following these tips:


  1. Access the data by clicking here or on the map below.
  2. Explore the data by clicking directly on your county.
  3. See how other counties compare by clicking around the map.

Interesting Reading

An update on U.S. consumer sentiment: Are consumers on the cusp of a shift?

US consumer confidence dips as inflationary concerns intensify.

May 31, 2024

McKinsey & Company


By Becca CogginsChristina AdamsKari Alldredge, and Warren Teichner

Click here for the article
Click here for the article

Here's where the jobs are for May 2024--in one chart

June 7, 2024

MSNBC


By Pia Singh


Job growth in May was surprisingly strong, pushing back on lingering fears of a broader economic slowdown and likely slowing the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting timeline.

CHILDCARE NEEDS SURVEY

Local educational leaders have crafted this survey to better understand and support the dedicated individuals providing childcare services in our region, as well as those contemplating a career in this critical field.


Your experiences and challenges are important to us. Please click on the link below to share your perspective on the obstacles that make navigating a career in childcare challenging.


Thank you for taking the time to contribute. We look forward to sharing the findings with you, as we work together to enhance childcare services in our region by supporting those working in this invaluable career field.


Complete the Survey

Please join us in thanking our community partners who have supported

Tri-State Development and the economic prosperity of our region over the past year.


In the July newsletter, we will be highlighting sponsors of the 2024 Tri-State Development Summit and their support in providing resources to regional stakeholders in the coming year.


2023 Presenting sponsor:

and supported by:

To view all of our supporting community partners, please visit our website at : https://culver.edu/tsd

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Tri-State Development at Culver-Stockton College supports the region by cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, fostering the expansion of academic-organization-industry initiatives, and developing an environment for collective impact to address the current and emerging economic, and social challenges in the region.

Tri-State Development Summit at Culver-Stockton College | culver.edu/tsd

Leslie Sieck, Executive Director lsieck@culver.edu]

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