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Urbanisation, natural amenities and subjective well-being: Evidence from US counties

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  • John V Winters

    (Oklahoma State University, USA)

  • Yu Li

    (Oklahoma State University, USA)

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships between county-level urbanisation, natural amenities and subjective well-being (SWB) in the US. SWB is measured using individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction. Using individual-level SWB data allows us to control for several important individual characteristics. The results suggest that urbanisation lowers SWB, with relatively large negative coefficients for residents in dense counties and large metropolitan areas. Natural amenities also affect SWB, with warmer winters having a significant positive relationship with self-reported life-satisfaction. Implications for researchers and policymakers are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • John V Winters & Yu Li, 2017. "Urbanisation, natural amenities and subjective well-being: Evidence from US counties," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(8), pages 1956-1973, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:54:y:2017:i:8:p:1956-1973
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098016631918
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    amenities; population density; quality of life; subjective well-being; urbanisation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General
    • Q00 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - General
    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General

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