Everyone Picks on Detroit

As usual, Detroit once again has suffered the largest population decline and net outmigration of major metropolitan areas on both an absolute and percentage basis (Census data released March 19 here). Mark Perry’s Carpe Diem post, “Supply and Demand in Action,” displays the image below:

 

But the larger story is the continuing depopulation of rural counties in states like Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Here’s the list of counties with the greatest percentage net outmigration in 2008:

Interesting that no Michigan counties made the top 20. I’ve previously posted on the “natural amenity” explanation for why places like this are depopulating.