Neighborhood income segregation

2019
united states

Neighborhood income segregation refers to the division of different socioeconomic groups within residential areas. It occurs when individuals with similar income levels tend to cluster together geographically, leading to the separation of affluent and low-income neighborhoods.

There are several factors that contribute to neighborhood income segregation. One key factor is housing affordability. Higher-income individuals often have greater access to quality housing that is located in desirable neighborhoods, while lower-income individuals may be limited to more affordable but often disadvantaged areas.

Another factor is social and economic disparities. Individuals from different income brackets often have different opportunities and resources available to them, which can perpetuate income segregation. For example, high-income neighborhoods may have better schools, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure, while low-income areas may lack these resources.

Neighborhood income segregation can have significant social and economic implications. It can contribute to the perpetuation of poverty and inequality, as individuals in low-income neighborhoods may face limited access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities.

Moreover, income segregation can lead to social isolation and limited social mobility, as individuals from different income groups have limited interaction and exchange. This can result in the creation of distinct communities with different cultural norms, social networks, and opportunities, further reinforcing income disparities.

Efforts to address neighborhood income segregation include policies aimed at providing affordable housing opportunities in affluent neighborhoods, improving the quality of amenities and services in disadvantaged areas, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and promoting economic opportunities in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Reducing neighborhood income segregation is essential for fostering social integration, equal access to resources, and creating more inclusive and equitable communities.

Further reading

South S.J.; Huang Y.; Spring A. (2022) "Proximate sources of growth in neighborhood income segregation: Class selective migration versus in situ change", Social Science Research, 101(), pp. -. Academic Press Inc.. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2021.102624

Galster G.; Turner L.M. (2019) "Status Aversion, Attraction and Discrepancy as Drivers of Neighborhood Selection", City and Community, 18(3), pp. 937-964. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.1111/cico.12435