Using data from the 1960 and 1970 censuses and the Annual Housing Survey, the study examined migration between 1955-60 and 1981 for 40 of the largest 50 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA), including 27 distressed central cities. Instead of attracting more upper income movers between 1970 and 1980, most distressed cities saw the flight of upper income groups continue or accelerate, indicating future declines in city resources and the widening of disparities between cities and surburban areas rather than a revitalization of these cities. Some evidence of improvements in city migration since 1970 was found. Although the proportion of SMSA movers choosing city residences fell in almost all areas between 1960 and 1970, it increased in more than half of the SMSA's between 1970 and the years around 1980. Increases were less common among higher income movers, however, for whom sharp decreases occurred in more than half of the distressed cities. Only five of the distressed cities registered increased city selection rates among higher income movers. In addition, these migration improvements were sufficient to increase per capita income only in Washington, D.C. A figure, data tables, 20 footnotes, and 37 references are included. (Author abstract modified).
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