Areas of Residence 1950-1990 Source: U.S. Dept of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, _Statistical Abstracts of the United States_
1950: Central Cities (City): 33% Suburbs: 23% Outside Metropolitan Statistical Area (Rural): 44%
1970: City: 31% Suburbs: 37% Rural: 31%
1990: City: 31% Suburbs: 46% Rural: 23%
recent trends: 1) while gentrification of the central city is still exception and net out-migration continues, some evidence suggests that traditional pattern of more affluent living farther from city center is weakening...
2) some suburbs have developed into sizable cities themselves...1990 census indicates that 29 suburbs have 100,000+ populations...
3) phenomenon called mega-county has begun to appear...generally unincorporated expanses of residential & commercial development... virtually all white, they contain retail stores, eateries, and entertainment centers frequented by those who live and now often work there (hence, the burb to burb commute)...
4) some evidence of people moving outside the metropolis to live in small towns within commuting distance...Michael Hoover