Year Published
2011
Abstract
In a paper published in The Review of Economics and Statistics some 20 years ago, we sought to
assess the disparate residential location choices of black and white households in the
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Gabriel and Rosenthal [1989]). The paper showed that
simulated closure of large socio-economic gaps between blacks and whites did little to diminish
prevailing high levels of residential segregation or otherwise enhance moves by black
households to areas of educational, employment, and housing opportunity. In the wake of
intervening decades, the current paper applies data from 2000 to assess anew racial variations in
residential location choice. Results of the multinomial logit analysis indicate large, persistent
racial differentials in residential location choice. While black location choice in 2000 was
relatively more dispersed than in 1980, it remained remarkably concentrated in DC and Prince
Georges County. As in our prior analysis, results showed that large simulated gains in black
economic and educational status had little effect on prevailing racial segregation. These findings
underscore the ongoing, limited access of black households to schooling, employment, and
housing opportunities available outside traditional areas of settlement. In marked contrast, the
locational choices of Latino and immigrant households bore greater similarity to those of whites
and were more sensitive to improvements in socio-economic status.
assess the disparate residential location choices of black and white households in the
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Gabriel and Rosenthal [1989]). The paper showed that
simulated closure of large socio-economic gaps between blacks and whites did little to diminish
prevailing high levels of residential segregation or otherwise enhance moves by black
households to areas of educational, employment, and housing opportunity. In the wake of
intervening decades, the current paper applies data from 2000 to assess anew racial variations in
residential location choice. Results of the multinomial logit analysis indicate large, persistent
racial differentials in residential location choice. While black location choice in 2000 was
relatively more dispersed than in 1980, it remained remarkably concentrated in DC and Prince
Georges County. As in our prior analysis, results showed that large simulated gains in black
economic and educational status had little effect on prevailing racial segregation. These findings
underscore the ongoing, limited access of black households to schooling, employment, and
housing opportunities available outside traditional areas of settlement. In marked contrast, the
locational choices of Latino and immigrant households bore greater similarity to those of whites
and were more sensitive to improvements in socio-economic status.
Research Category