Black suburbanization in the mid-1980s: trends and differentials

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Urban Studies
• Demography

Background:

• The 1970s experienced a notable increase in Black suburbanization.
• Understanding suburbanization trends is crucial for urban planning and social equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the acceleration of Black suburbanization continued through the 1980s.
• To compare Black and white suburbanization patterns and residential mobility.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the 1985 American Housing Survey (National and Metropolitan Samples).
• Examination of racial and socioeconomic status in suburbanization levels.
• Assessment of recent movers' propensity to choose suburban destinations.

Main Results:

• Blacks exhibited lower overall suburbanization levels than whites.
• A small proportion of Black individuals from central cities relocated to suburban areas.
• Blacks who moved to suburbs demonstrated similar retention rates to whites.
• Intrametropolitan racial segregation remained significant but showed signs of decline.

Conclusions:

• The rapid suburbanization of Black Americans observed in the 1970s did not appear to accelerate further in the 1980s.
• While initial suburban moves were less common for Black individuals, residential stability in suburbs was comparable to whites.
• Persistent, though potentially decreasing, intrametropolitan segregation warrants further investigation.