Conclusions 



The net migration from New Hampshire between 1940 and 1950 by 

 numbers of persons was small. The major changes resulting from migration 

 were in the age and sex structure of the population. This can in part be 

 explained by the greater migration of some age groups than of others, and 

 of males. 



The greatest mobility between 1940 and 1950 occurred in the age 

 groups 10 to 34, There was a net loss from the state of persons who were 

 10 to 24 in 1940 and who would have been 20 to 34 in 1950. A much 

 smaller loss was apparent in the 45 to 64 age groups. All other age groups 

 gained from migration and from births between 1940 and 1950. There was 

 a net gain of females for the state. 



Variation Between Counties 



Examination of migration within New Hampshire reveals variation be- 

 tween counties and between age groups migrating. The 10 to 24 years 

 group declined in all counties except Rockingham and Strafford. Coos and 

 Grafton counties lost from almost ail age groups. Migration was heaviest 

 from the rural farm groups and for every 100 farm residents between the 

 ages to 54 in 1940 there were only 72 in 1950. This has coincided with 

 a decline in the number of farms and farmers, but with an increase in the 

 average size of farm, production per farm, and the total values of farm 

 products sold. The level of living of farm families in New Hampshire has 

 increased and compares favorably with the rest of New England as well as 

 being higher than in most other sections of the United States. 



There has been an increase in the number of residents who have moved 

 to rural nonfarm areas to establish their homes. In some cases this is the 

 result of industrial development in these areas. In other cases it is probably 

 the result of individual preferences for homes in rural areas while com- 

 muting to jobs in industrial centers. Coos County lost urban, rural nonfarm, 

 and rural residents. 



Changes in Dependency Ratios 



The dependency ratio, which is an expression of the number of de- 

 pendents in relation to the working age groups, increased for the state. The 

 greatest increases were in rural farm and rural nonfarm residents. This 

 increase was in general due to an absolute increase in the number of de- 

 pendents greater than the increase in the age groups 20 to 64. Dependents 

 are composed of children to 14 and persons 65 years and over. Both groups 

 increased, but the greatest increase for the state was in the children to 

 14 years of age. There was some variation between counties in this rela- 

 tionship. Coos and Grafton counties showed a greater relative increase in 

 older people than in children. Migration was more significant than births 

 and deaths in the changed dependency ratios for all but three southern 

 counties. 



Changes in Fertiiity Ratios 



A further measure of changes in the structure of the population during 

 the 1940 to 1950 period under study is provided by the fertility ratio which 



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