ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some aspects of changing settlement patterns in Alberta and of migration into the smaller centers with populations in 1970 between 500 and 12,000. Since the major function of many small centers in Alberta is to provide services for the center and its immediate rural hinterland, it might be expected that retail trade figures would indicate significant groupings of centers and provide useful information on small town viability. For the discussion of migration patterns in general, it is interesting to note the characteristics of outmigration from the sample centers by those respondents who had already moved away or had planned a move. Migrants to small centers in Alberta are for the most part younger, better educated, and engaged in more highly skilled occupations than the populace as a whole. Nevertheless, broad patterns in the process or urbanization within Alberta can be recognized.
