Development, Diversity, and Regional Demographic Variability in the U.S.

Although the U.S. as a whole is characterized by fairly low fertility, contributing to an aging population, there remains marked regional demographic variability. Geographic patterns of variation in selected demographic characteristics—birth and death rates, fertility, and births to young mothers—are mapped and reviewed in the context of forces that might lead to gradual convergence or continuing divergence. Variation in levels of social and economic development, for example, income, education, levels of female labor force participation and metropolitanization help explain variations in demographic character. But less convergence has occurred than might be expected on the basis of levels of development. Other sources of divergence, such as geographic accessibility, racial and ethnic composition, and regional cultural patterns, exert an independent influence to maintain demographic diversity.