Suburban Socioeconomic Status Change: A Comparison of Models, 1950-1980

Abstract

An evaluation of 3 models of suburban socioeconomic change--the life cycle persistence and stratification models--is made for post-World War II decades. The basic thesis is that as US metropolitan and fringe growth decline from the peak growth of the 1950s to the reduced growth of the 1970s decade-specific models of suburban change will reflect increasing status persistence. A 2nd thesis is that government plays a role in the status change process. 3 status measures are examined: 1) median income 2) percent white collar and 3) percent completing high school. All US suburbs greater than 10000 in population in 1950 1960 and 1970 are used in the sample. Results show that in every decade the life cycle persistence and stratification models of status change were all empirically supported to some degree. During the 1970s population growth disappeared as a determinant of status change. Functional scope is important in establishing the suburban stratification system: the effects of functional scope and leadership on status change are interpretable as the active role that a subrubs government plays in determining its initial position in the suburban stratification system.