Latino, Asian, and black segregation in U.S. metropolitan areas: are multiethnic metros different?

Demography. 1996 Feb;33(1):35-50.

Abstract

This study examines 1990 residential segregation levels and 1980-1990 changes in segregation for Latinos, Asians, and blacks in U.S. metropolitan areas. It also evaluates the effect of emerging multiethnic metropolitan area contexts for these segregation patterns. While black segregation levels are still well above those for Latinos and Asians, there is some trend toward convergence over the decade. More than half of the areas increased their Latino segregation levels over the 1980s, and almost three-fourths increased their Asian segregation levels. In contrast, black segregation levels decreased in 88% of metropolitan areas. Multiethnic metropolitan area context is shown to be important for internal segregation dynamics. Black segregation levels are lower, and were more likely to decline in multiethnic metropolitan areas and when other minority groups grew faster than blacks. Latino segregation was also more likely to decline in such areas, and declines in both Latino and Asian segregation were greater when other minority groups were growing. These findings point up the potential for greater mixed-race and mixed-ethnicity coresidence in the neighborhoods of multiethnic metropolitan areas.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian / statistics & numerical data*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cultural Diversity*
  • Emigration and Immigration / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Dynamics
  • Race Relations*
  • Social Environment
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • White People / statistics & numerical data