Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
2.8.
Average dissimilarity index black from white for selected metropolitan areas
by region, 1950-2010.
Source:
Computed by author from data available from the
National Historical Geographical Information System and the 2010 census.
he changing paterns of dissimilarity vary by region of the United
States. hese paterns are shown in igure 2.8. he Midwest and North-
east start with relatively high levels of segregation, with almost 0.80 in
1950. In 1960 and 1970 the segregation levels in the Midwest exceed 0.80,
while those in the Northeast do not change significantly. However, by
2010 the levels in both regions had declined, to 0.64 in the Northeast and
0.62 in the Midwest. The segregation levels in the Southeast and West
follow a somewhat diferent patern. In 1950 they started at 0.60 in the
Southeast and 0.71 in the West, and then by 1960 they increased greatly
in the West to 0.80 and somewhat in the Southeast to 0.74, before both
declined through 2010. Indeed, the 2010 levels were about 0.48 in the
West and 0.54 in the Southeast, which are low though significant levels
of segregation.
There are several explanations for the forces that affect these levels
of segregation, making them hard to untangle. Thomas Schelling devel-
