Suburbanization and segregation in the United States: 1970–2010

Abstract

Analysis of trends in the suburbanization of whites, blacks, Asians, and Hispanics reveal that all groups are becoming more suburbanized, though the gap between whites and minorities remains large. Although central cities have made the transition to a majority-minority configuration, suburbs are still overwhelmingly white. Levels of minority-white segregation are nonetheless lower in suburbs than cities. Blacks remain the most segregated group at both locations. Black segregation and isolation levels are declining in cities and suburbs, however, while Hispanic and Asian segregation levels have remained stable and spatial isolation levels have risen. Multivariate analyses suggest that Hispanics achieve desegregation indirectly by using socioeconomic achievements to gain access to less-segregated suburban communities and directly by translating r status attainments into residence in white neighborhoods. Blacks do not achieve desegregation indirectly through suburbanization and they are much less able than Hispanics to use their socioeconomic attainments directly to enter white neighborhoods.