According to the results of an in-depth study of the process of population change in New York State, the less densely settled an area, the more likely it is to grow in the 1970's. This is more evidence of the recent major U.S. demographic phenomenon of a revival of population growth in non-metropolitan areas. Population data for the sixty-two counties in New York provide a comparison of metropolitan and non-metropolitan area population changes, a history of such changes back to 1900, and an examination of population changes within the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Various census population estimates for 1975 and 1976 provide data for further comparisons. Regardless of which estimate is selected for analysis, the greatest population loss occurs in New York City and the greatest gain in the least urbanized, non-metropolitan areas. Commuting data gives a direct indication of "metro sprawl". Small units of government need to be prepared to deal with certain aspects of population growth: federal programs have historically ignored small units of government; decisions will probably have to be made concerning annexation or incorporation; it may be necessary to identify incoming migrants and how they affect the existing population composition; and care must be exercised in developing policy based on aggregate data (e.g., there may be an overall decline, statewide, in school age population but a locally heavy increase in student numbers). (SB)