The study attempted to show that the spatial variation in the total fertility raternIn the town of Shashemene was largely due to the variation in the proximaterndeterminants of fertility (marriage, contraception and post-partum amenorrhoea)rnbased on primary data generated through a sample survey of women in theirrnchildbearing ages (15-49 years).rnFrom a preliminary analysis of the data, a clear spatial differential in ethnicrnand religious affiliations as well as educational attainment and type of employmentrnwas obtained using an index of residential dissimilarity.rnBefore the detailed analysis was made, however, the data were examined forrnconsistency using available demographic techniques. Then, both bi-variate andrnmultivariate statistical techniques were applied in the analysis of the data. Principalrncomponents analysis was employed to identify the spatial pattern of the proximaterndeterminants and the socio-cultural variables. Multiple regression analysis was madernto examine the ,~ffect of the proximate variables on the total fertility rate. Finally,rnthe Bongaarts model was used to evaluate the relative imporlance of each of thernproximate variables to explain differentials of fertility in the town and to examine thernapplicability of the model to the Shashemene data.rnThe research found out that the variation in the proximate determinants ofrnfertility was mainly due to the variation in the socio-cultural variables amongrnKebeles. Based on the spatial differentials of these variables, the study identifiedrnsome favorable and unfavorable conditions for high fertility in each Kebele.rnMarriage and post-parium amenorrhoea were identified as the most importantrnproximate variables for fertility differentials among Kebeles in Shashemene. Therneffect of contraception on total fertility rate was found to be very smalL It was alsornfound out that the Bongaarts model has fitt ed the data in most Kebeles of the town.rnFinally, the study suggested some population policy options that would serve as arnstepping-stone for future detailed researches.