The role of migration and of federal policy in population redistribution should be a central focus in population geography education. Although migration to the Sunbelt and the West has been a pattern since the 1950s, a significant trend has been noted only since the 1970s, when the birth rate dropped so much that natural increase could not compensate for out-migration in the North. Factors contributing to this migration pattern include climate, high rates of employment, and territorial bias in federal expenditures. The South Atlantic and South Central and western regions of the Mountain and Pacific states tend to be the main benefactors of defense contracts, highway and sewer programs, federal retirement programs, and maintenance of public lands. In addition, foreign immigrants tend to settle in these regions. A second trend in population distribution is that of growth in nonmetropolitan areas, which is a result of decentralization of metropolitan economic activity and the desire of a majority of Americans to reside in small and rural areas. In conclusion, migration and federal policy must be regarded as interdependent processes. The most obvious consequence of regional shifts in population will be the reapportionment of Congressional representatives after the 1980 census. Federal revenue sharing programs will also be affected. These factors illustrate the need for the policy implications of population redistribution to be an important component in population geography courses. (Author/KC)