Among other factors for the South's rise is one that's often overlooked: air conditioning. It's nice to not have to deal with snow, but the South's wet heat ca

Among other factors for the South's rise is one that's often overlooked: air conditioning. It's nice to not have to deal with snow, but the South's wet heat can be miserable. Before A/C it was easier to heat than cool, so most people wanted to live up north. Now it's quite easy to cool, so the South becomes much more appealing.