Patterns of Interstate Migration in the United States from the Survey of Income and Program Participation

This paper describes the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) as a data source for migration studies. SIPP provides information on income, employment outcomes, and participation in government programs. The paper illustrates differences in the propensity for interstate migration among different demographic groups from 1996 to 2008 and analyzes the relationship between migration choices and life-changing events. Findings suggest future research should consider the migration choices of individuals near retirement age.