Black and White Population Growth in American Suburbs: Transition or Parallel Development?

Abstract

This study examines the impact of black population size and rate of increase on white population change in American suburbs between 1960 and 1970. The data indicate that there is no tipping point. In small suburbs the black population variables interact, while in medium and large suburbs percent black has a moderate additive effect on white population growth and black population increase is unimportant. These patterns persist even when variables causally prior to the white and black population variables are controlled. Finally, in only a few instances within the observed range of percent black or rate of black population increase, or any combination of these variables, was there any absolute decline in the white population.