ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to use available evidence to address the major factors affecting local demographic impacts and research limitations with regard to projections of such impacts; the actual size, distribution, and composition of local population changes in impact areas; and the policy implications of the local demographic impacts of rapid economic development. The level of local demographic impacts can be seen as a function of three general sets of factors: the characteristics of the project; the characteristics of the local area; and the characteristics of projectrelated inmigrants. The project's direct employment requirements are perhaps the largest single determinant of population growth. The demographic effects of migrants, then, are likely to be evident in an increased number of young adults in the area, higher area incomes, higher levels of education, an increased incidence of mobile homes, and a more highly skilled area work force. The data underlying the projection process are clearly of varying quality and consistency.
