The rural population has grown by 13.7% between 1985 and 2005, almost four times the rate in urban areas. Internal immigration is the driver of this trend with families with young children looking for a higher quality of life making up the main group of incomers. The 15-24 age band tend to move out as they go through higher education and look for jobs and housing. There is a disconnection between these population movements manifested in housing shortages and a tendency for a stronger focus on developing cities. In 2004/5, net in-migration to rural areas was greatest in the South West (21,700), Yorkshire and the Humber (16,800) and East of England (14,400). It was lowest in the North East (2,700).

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