Rural exodus

Rural exodus is a term used to describe the migratory patterns that normally occur in a region following the mechanisation of agriculture. In such a situation, there tends to be a movement of peoples from rural areas into urban areas. This is related to the fact that with mechanization (or any other change in the method of production which increases productivity) fewer people are needed to bring the same amount of agricultural output to market.

See also

• urban sprawl
• demographic history of the United States
• rural sociology