Earning Inequality and Spatial Mismatch in Texas Shujuan Li Geog 406 Instructor: Dr. Bednarz
Introduction Earning Inequality “Earning inequality has increased markedly in the United States in recent decades” Bradbury, Kodrycki, and Mayer
Introduction Economic segregation Spatial Mismatch Studies “The spatial mismatch hypothesis states that housing discrimination confines blacks to living in a few central city neighborhoods, where jobs have become increasingly scarce because employers have relocated to the suburbs.” (Mayer,1996)
Objectives Earning Inequality in Texas Spatial Characteristics of earning segregation Spatial Mismatch?
Data Census 1990 Census 2000
Earning Inequality in Texas 1.Earning Inequality has been increasing in Texas since the late 1970s 1 2.Texas is among the nine states with highest levels of income inequality 2 3.Only Texas and Louisiana were the two states keeping in the top ten from 1970s to today 3 4.It was also among the only four states having a larger proportion of income going to the richest families. 3 [1] [2] [3]
Spatial Distribution of Household Incoming – Urban area VS rural area
Spatial Distribution of Household Incoming -- Urban area VS rural area
Spatial Distribution of Household Incoming -- Central Cities VS Suburban Areas
1) There are obvious household incoming segregations between central cities and suburban areas. 2) From 1990 to 2000, the general spatial pattern of household incoming segregation in urban areas had been unchanged. 3) Segregation conditions in central cities did not change much, while area surrounding suburban area had obvious increase of household incoming.
Spatial Mismatch?
Unemployment Status for the Population 16+ Years
Spatial Mismatch?
Percentage of workers working in central city
Conclusions Texas has serious income inequality problem. There are obvious and aggregate rural/ urban income segregation. Change of income segregation in urban area is not very obvious. Income segregation did affect job access of inner work forces in Houston area.