Data on the social effects of boomtown growth and industrialization were collected from residents of three western communities (Craig, Colorado; Price, Utah; and Gunnison, Colorado) via a fairly detailed mail questionnaire sent to a random sample of 900. Completed questionnaires were received from 443 (a return rate of 65%). A number of different measures of community attitudes, sentiments, and local social bonds and networks were included in the research; independent variables included length of residence, age of respondent, socio-economic status, and community of residence. Length of residence did have a clear and direct effect upon community attitudes and sentiments. Newcomers to the communities studied did exhibit weaker friendship and kinship bonds and lower levels of participation in formal and informal local groups; they felt less positive about the community as a place to live, were less likely to consider it home, were less interested in community affairs, and were less likely to feel that they had a voice in community matters. The lack of "community imbeddedness" contributed importantly to the social and personal problems experienced in these communities, and that local support mechanisms tended to be inadequate to deal with the problems experienced by the new and usually young families. Longer residence might lead to a decrease in problems. (AN)