Why is Black-White Residential Segregation Persistent? A Review of Recent Empirical Evidence

Abstract

This study explores residential segregation in most U.S. metropolitan areas with an emphasis on separation between Black and White households. Based on six hypotheses for the underlying causes of Black-White residential segregation, (racial differences in income, racial differences in preferences for residential and neighborhood attributes, housing market discrimination, racial composition preference, racial differences in housing market information, and contribution of governmental institutions), this article updates current knowledge of residential patterns by synthesizing and critiquing the recent evidence from empirical studies conducted since 2000 on determinants of Black-White residential segregation.

Keywords:

• Race; race inequality; race relations; housing discrimination; residential segregation

Notes

1 This was made evident when Metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky took concrete action through a 20-year plan for fair housing aims (Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission, 2013).