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Did natural disasters affect population density growth in US counties?

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  • Chunhua Wang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

This paper examines the long-run effects of natural disasters on population density growth across US counties during the period of 1960–2000. Detailed data for measuring the number and intensity of three types of major natural disasters (earthquake, tornado, and hurricane) are collected and incorporated into the empirical models. We do not find any significant adverse long-run growth effects of natural disasters. Weak evidence of minor tornadoes being positively correlated to growth is provided. Results also indicate that disasters have negligible indirect effects on county population density growth through impacting the county characteristics.

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  • Chunhua Wang, 2019. "Did natural disasters affect population density growth in US counties?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 62(1), pages 21-46, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:62:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s00168-018-0878-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-018-0878-1
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    4. Siodla, James, 2021. "Firms, fires, and firebreaks: The impact of the 1906 San Francisco disaster on business agglomeration," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Dottori, Davide, 2024. "The effect of the earthquake in Central Italy on the depopulation of the affected territories," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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