Village green at Lyddington, Rutland
The village green at Lyddington, Rutland. Are city-leavers running away from people or towards things they believe will bring 'cultural comfort'? Photograph: Dave Porter/Getty Images

The figures do not lie. That doesn't mean they entirely tell the truth.

According to the census, the proportion of London's population that is white British in fell from 58% to 45% between 2001 and 2011. The share of ethnic minorities reached 40% of the total.

And that suggests something basic, unfortunate and simple. A significant number of white people just can't stomach the diversity of cities any longer. They are getting out of Dodge; looking for something as close as they can find to an all-white Midsomer Britain.

But that's not right, says Eric Kaufman, professor of politics at Birkbeck College, University of London. What is right? The truth is we don't know. Once again, we repeat the phrase that best describes this column – it's complicated. For a start, an analysis of London shows both whites and minorities leaving. Some, when asked, profess themselves comfortable with diversity. Others appear much less comfortable. But the liberal and illiberal flee in a way that makes it difficult to discern a definite motive. "It can't be explained by a 'I don't like diversity – I'm out of here' attitude," says Kaufman.

There are patterns. People flee cities for bigger houses, better schools. White people tend to move towards diversity when young and away when older. White people opt for other white areas. So do minorities.

But not everyone can move with the same ease. "Minorities don't want to be in an area that is 96% white," says Kaufman. That might suggest mobility for minorities is comparatively limited.

This is where it gets tricky. One factor, Kaufman says, may be people seeking enhanced "cultural capital", or cultural prestige. Not so much running away from people but towards things that bring cultural comfort. "There is a difference between saying I am uncomfortable in this area and saying I am comfortable in an area because it better suits my cultural tastes. It's culture, not race."Close, he says, but not the same.

So where are we on this? Not simple prejudice, according to this research. Not simple anything. More a range of determinants – from how an area looks, who's there, what are the institutions, even what's on the high street. Feelings overt and internal. We hypothesise, but there is no forensic understanding of the dynamic. Not yet.