Isolating the effect of natural amenities on population change at the local level

As latent production inputs, natural amenities are thought to serve as the basis for a variety of regional effects. In this study, natural amenity and socio-economic conditions were analysed with respect to population growth empirically estimated at the municipal level in an amenity-rich lakes region of the North Central United States from 1970 to 2000 with a specific focus on spatial relationships. The limited results suggest mixed effects that confirm an increased amenity influence as one of many factors that drive localized population change.