Neighborhood Disadvantage Among Racial and Ethnic Groups: Residential Location in 1970 and 1980

Abstract

We compare the neighborhood characteristics of native-and foreign-born blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians in 1970 and 1980. We broaden the locational attainment literature by emphasizing three contrasts: between black and nonblack groups, between native black and nonblack immigrant groups, and among black groups. Consistent with previous evidence, we find a clear spatial disadvantage for black groups relative to nonblack groups, and for native blacks compared to nonblack immigrant groups, in both years. However, our study reveals a slight advantage for foreign nonHispanic blacks (e.g., Afro-Caribbean immigrants) among the black groups througho u t the time period. Our results break new ground by extending the analysis of racial and ethnic variation in residential attainment back to 1970. providing an earlier benchmark against which current patterns of residential attainment can be compared.The United States has experienced several distinct periods of immigration throughout the twentieth century (Alba 1990;Portes and Rumbaut 1996;Waldinger 1996). From European newcomers near the beginning of the century to the current period of predominantly Asian and Latin American immigration, the United States has remained a popular destination for international migrants. Historically, newcomers to the United States have surpassed relatively quickly African Americans on most dimensions of social and economic well-being. For example, Stanley Lieberson (19S0, p. 2) summaDirect all correspondence to Robert M. Adelman,

Exiting and Entering High-Poverty Neighborhoods: Latinos, Blacks and Anglos Compared

“…In contrast, socioeconomic resources are comparatively less important for the retention of Anglos in lower-poverty neighborhoods; even the poorest Anglos face only a small likelihood of moving into a high-poverty neighborhood once having attained residence in a lower-poverty neighborhood. Our findings here add to a growing body of evidence favoring the weak over the strong versions of the place stratification model (Adelman et al 2002;Alba and Logan 1993), and thus help to resolve the troubling predictive ambiguity that characterizes this perspective (Tolnay 2003).…”

Neighborhood Opportunities, Race, and Class: The Black Middle Class and Residential Segregation

“…In this table I link to research that moves beyond residential segregation, per se, and analyzes the average characteristics of the neighborhoods when comparing different groups (see, e.g., Adelman et al, 2001;Logan, 1991, 1992;Logan andAlba, 1993, 1995); however, I use aggregate-(tract-) level data as opposed to individual-level data. In other words, I ask: What are the average neighborhood characteristics of middle-class blacks and middle-class whites?…”

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Neighborhood Attainments in the Transition to Adulthood

“…According to the theory, long-standing racial segregation and ongoing discrimination limit the socioeconomic and geographic mobility of minority groups, particularly blacks (e.g., Massey and Denton 1993). Empirically, the place stratification model predicts that racial and ethnic inequalities in locational attainment will persist, even after controlling for socioeconomic status, life course characteristics, and other factors (South and Crowder 1997; Adelman et al 2001). …”

“…Despite within-group gains, the weak version predicts that even the most advantaged minorities will not achieve the locational attainments of the majority group (Adelman et al 2001; South, Crowder and Chavez 2005). In terms of an empirical prediction, the weak version posits that education and income will have a stronger effect on locational outcomes for minorities than for whites; yet it is only a very small and advantaged group of minorities that will experience this benefit, whereas nearly all majority group members will be able to avoid the poorest residential areas (Logan and Alba 1993; South, Crowder, and Chavez 2005).…”