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A method to align heterogeneous migration data in the US census and American Community Survey

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  • Osborne Jackson

    (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston)

Abstract

This paper designs a method to align migration flows that have heterogeneous time horizons in the US census and American Community Survey microdata dating back to 1940. The method enables credible conversion of five-year flows to one-year flows, leveraging the availability of both types of migration data in one year of the sample period. Resulting estimates of prior-year migration can replicate established trends such as the recent decline in interstate migration, thus supporting estimate validity. Given the enabled wide sample period and broad availability of survey covariates, this alignment technique can serve as a useful resource for migration research.

Suggested Citation

  • Osborne Jackson, 2025. "A method to align heterogeneous migration data in the US census and American Community Survey," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(3), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:74:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s00168-025-01411-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-025-01411-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Kennan & James R. Walker, 2011. "The Effect of Expected Income on Individual Migration Decisions," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 79(1), pages 211-251, January.
    2. Greg Kaplan & Sam Schulhofer‐Wohl, 2017. "Understanding The Long‐Run Decline In Interstate Migration," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 58, pages 57-94, February.
    3. Andrei Rogers & James Raymer & K. Bruce Newbold, 2003. "Reconciling and translating migration data collected over time intervals of differing widths," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 37(4), pages 581-601, December.
    4. Gaetano Basso & Giovanni Peri, 2020. "Internal Mobility: The Greater Responsiveness of Foreign-Born to Economic Conditions," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 34(3), pages 77-98, Summer.
    5. Greg Kaplan & Sam Schulhofer‐Wohl, 2017. "Understanding The Long‐Run Decline In Interstate Migration," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 58(1), pages 57-94, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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