Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0

Author-Name: David L. Sjoquist
Author-Email: sjoquist@gsu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: Center for State and Local Finance, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University 

Author-Name: Lakshmi Pandey
Author-Email:  lpandey@gsu.com
Author-Workplace-Name: Center for State and Local Finance, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University

Title: An Exploration of Racial Residential Segregation Trends in Atlanta: 1970-2020

Abstract: This study analyzes two key demographic shifts in Atlanta's 10-county region (1940-2020): significant population growth and changing racial composition, alongside evolving racial residential segregation (1970-2020). The region's population grew 7.6-fold, driven by a near 11-fold increase in the Black population compared to a 4-fold white increase. Geographically, Black growth peaked ~25 km from the CBD, while white growth concentrated farther out. Initially extreme in 1970, segregation substantially decreased by 2020, attributed primarily to post-Fair Housing Act Black dispersal from high-density areas, countering theories that segregation stems mainly from Black residential preferences or racial income disparities. While significant "white flight" occurred pre-2000, it diminished markedly thereafter, with recent increases in white residents within historically Black-majority tracts signaling changing dynamics. However, segregation remains high, particularly in core counties, compounded by an overall regional white population decline in the past decade.

Length: 77 pages

Creation-Date: 2022-04

File-URL: https://cslf.gsu.edu/files/2022/04/cslf2201-4.pdf

File-Format:application/pdf

Handle: RePEc:ays:cslfwp:cslf2201