Stably Integrated Communities

Definition

Percent of residents who live in stably integrated communities

Why is it Important?

In a sustainable community residents have choices on where to live and all residents are able to access quality opportunities. In the United States racial segregation was legal and institutionalized through federal and local laws and policies up until the 1960s. These discriminatory policies have created a self-sustaining pattern of racial segregation in communities, which has negative impacts for individuals as well as the region as a whole. For example, segregation isolates African Americans from the predominantly white informal networks that can lead to jobs, increases wealth disparities due to the much slower growth in housing values in predominantly black communities as compared with predominantly white communities, and leads to inequities in education, government services, and health.¹ An increase in integrated communities represents more choices of welcoming places to live, greater opportunities, increased inter-racial socialization, and decreased racial stigma. 

How are we Doing?

The method for this indicator is under development.  

Geographic Level

St. Louis eight-county bi-state region, including Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties and the city of St. Louis in Missouri and Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties in Illinois. View map.

Notes

¹Anderson, Elizabeth, Racial Integration as a Compelling Interest, 13 August 2004, accessed on 16 January 2014 at http://www-personal.umich.edu/~eandersn/AndConstitCommentary.pdf