Transportation Seminar Series
North Dakota's Changing Demographics: Implications for Transportation
Mar 11, 2010 (1:00 - 2:00 p.m., IACC 422)
This presentation explores the changing dynamics of North Dakota's population and the influence that residential shifts have and will have on transportation within the state. The presentation is organized into three main sections. First, a historical perspective is offered of population change within the state. This overview is placed within a regional and national context. Second, the main drivers of population dynamics within the state are discussed.
Examples are offered that demonstrate how these drivers have shaped the residential context of the state. Moreover, attention is given to how these drivers will influence the future population profile of the state. Finally, the interface between population and transportation is examined.
Particular attention is given to residential commuting patterns and means of transportation to work.
Dr. Richard Rathge, North Dakota State Data Center – NDSU
Dr. Rathge is Director of the State Data Center at North Dakota State University. He has served as North Dakota's State Demographer for the past 28 years. He also has been designated by the governor to serve as the lead for the Federal-State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates (FSCPE) and projections (FSCPP). Dr. Rathge is a professor in the departments of Sociology and Agribusiness and Applied Economics at NDSU.
A major focus of Dr. Rathge's research is in documenting shifting population movement in the Great Plains in general and North Dakota in particular. Much of his attention is directed at exploring the policy consequences resulting from population dynamics. His research on the depopulation of the Great Plains has received national attention and has been aired on ABC Nightline and ABC World News. He has authored or coauthored over 220 articles, book chapters, and technical publications in addition to 50 conference papers. In addition to his scholarly publications, his research also appears in the national press including The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Most recently, he was invited to speak at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His current research efforts focus on examining the consequences of the aging baby boom on labor force issues and its implications for rural communities.
