The Measurement of Segregation Change through Integration and Deconcentration,1970-1980

Abstract

Desegregation may occur through the integration of blacks into white neighborhoods or through deconcentration from ghetto areas. Using summary segregation indexes, previous researchers have been unable to show the extent to which segregation declines derive from the two change models. In this research, 1970-1980 desegregation is explored, and the extent to which two segregation indexes, the dissimilarity index and the correlation ratio, reflect changes through integration and deconcentration is tested. Results show that desegregation through ghetto deconcentration is more common; change through integration occurred mostly in turnover tracts and likely is temporary. Of the two indexes tested, the correlation ratio better reflects changes brought about through deconcentration.