A New Generalized “Exposure-Based” Segregation Index

Abstract

Interest is growing in the neighborhood segregation of Hispanics as well as blacks in U.S urban areas. This article shows how “exposure-based” or p* indexes of segregation may be generalized for analyses of the segregation of three or more groups, and demonstrates the application of the “generalized segregation index” in the Denver and Houston regions. Exposure-based segregation indexes measure the degree to which a group is geographically exposed to (or isolated from) other groups in neighborhoods. Exposure-based indexes are believed by many to be of somewhat greater relevance for fair housing policy than is the index of dissimilarity.