American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is defined as the difference between the number of people moving into and out of a location?

1. Economic Base

2. Net Migration

3. Location-Quotient

4. Household Income

The correct answer is: Net Migration

The correct answer, net migration, refers to the calculation that represents the difference between the number of individuals moving into a specific area and those moving out during a given time period. This metric is essential for understanding population dynamics, as it provides insight into whether a location is gaining or losing residents, which can significantly affect local economies, labor markets, and community planning efforts. For example, if a city experiences more people moving in than moving out, it indicates positive net migration, which can lead to an increase in demand for housing, services, and jobs. Conversely, negative net migration suggests that more people are leaving than coming, which might signal challenges such as economic difficulties, inadequate job opportunities, or declining quality of life. In contrast, the other choices, while related to demographic and economic analysis, do not directly address the concept of population movement. The economic base focuses on the economic activities that support a community, the location-quotient relates to the concentration of specific industries in a region compared to a larger area, and household income considers the financial earnings of residents without addressing their movement in or out of a location. Hence, net migration succinctly captures the essence of population changes in relation to movement trends.