Affiliation:
1. Graduate School of Economics Kobe University Kobe Japan
2. Department of Economics The University of Nevada ‐ Las Vegas Las Vegas Nevada USA
Abstract
AbstractFiber internet expansion represents a path to improved economic vitality for Americans, but it is unclear who benefits from it and by how much. We examine the effects of subsidized fiber internet expansion on home prices and homebuyer demographics using data from Wisconsin and an IV approach to correct for fiber network endogeneity. We find fiber internet increases urban and rural housing values by 1.83% ($3,462) and decreases the likelihood a homebuyer is white by 2.88%, but in urban areas only. Fiber internet therefore does not appear to drive minority homebuyers away but may contribute to the urban‐rural racial divide.
Subject
Environmental Science (miscellaneous),Development