Tenure Choice with Location Selection: The Case of Hispanic Neighborhoods in Chicago

Abstract

A notable feature of immigration into the U.S. is the high degree of spatial concentration of different immigrant groups. We ask the question whether residing in areas with a large proportion of a co-ethnic group influence the decision to own a home for Hispanics in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The results show that Hispanics choose to live in Hispanic enclaves based on relatively homogeneous characteristics such as recent migration, less English language fluency, and lower income. More years in the U.S., higher education attainment and English language fluency remain strong predictors of homeownership. Individuals are less likely to be homeowners in communities with a larger co-ethnic concentration, foreign-born residents, or lower-income.