Trends in Residential Integration by Socioeconomic Status in Southern California

Abstract

The central question posed in this research is whether increased educational status and associated economic gains for black Americans have been translated into greater levels of residential integration in Southern California. Some recent national investigations have shown small decreases in the levels of separation for higher-status black Americans. The research in this study strengthens those findings and strongly suggests that social class differences, as measured by income and education, are important in explaining levels of separation and that when economic and educational gains do occur, these are translated into gains in residential integration.