Research shows that there are higher concentrations of lone-parent families in Australia's regional centres than in its major cities. But is this a result of a decline in 'traditional' family values? Or a product of migration into these centres? Or is it a consequence of the higher incidence of socioeconomic disadvantage in these centres relative to metropolitan areas? This article examines patterns of geographic mobility in order to assess whether migration is likely to be the major cause for high lone-parent concentrations in regional areas, or whether such concentrations are largely a consequence of 'home grown' factors.