Consequences of population turnaround for rural economic development are examined in a 9-county region of Northern Lower Michigan. Data from census reports and 374 usable responses to a questionnaire mailed to a random sample of property owners drawn from 1982 county tax assessment rolls were used to test competing hypotheses about rural development consequences: economic infusion (or positive economic impact); economic overload (or negative impact on unemployment and increased competition for jobs); and a contingent eclectic model in which the balance of positive/negative impacts differ depending on the socioeconomic composition of the reverse migration stream and the receiving region. Data indicated that population growth in the region was associated with substantial increases in unemployment compared with the statewide average. Findings supported elements of all hypotheses. The major finding that blue collar persons (both newcomers and long-term residents) experienced higher unemployment rates than white collar persons provided greatest support for the contingent eclectic model. To the extent that retirees (44% of sample) stimulated demand for goods and services, without increasing competition in labor markets, partial support was found for the economic infusion theory. For white collar strata, economic infusion was supported; for blue collar strata, economic overload theory was supported. References and tables are appended. (Author/NEC)