Racial and Ethnic Diversity

The Racial and Ethnic Diversity indicator measures the degree to which racial and/or ethnic groups are dispersed throughout the City's neighborhoods. The U.S. population reflects growing racial and ethnic diversity, however the distribution of racial and ethnic groups is not evenly distributed throughout the country. This spatial characteristic is a truism within cities as well, and it is a vestige of historical policies, both formal and informal. A measure of racial and ethnic diversity is used to determine the erosion of past policies, both de facto and de jure. Furthermore, residents who live in hyper-segregated neighborhoods have fewer assets and resources such as quality schools, public transportation, and fresh grocers. Segregated low-income neighborhoods are more likely to face environmental injustices such as solid and hazardous waste sites and noise and toxic air pollution. Since racial segregation is also a proxy of class segregation, neighborhoods with a higher concentration of racial/ethnic minorities often report extreme material and relative deprivation, too. Hyper-segregated neighborhoods also report worse rates of chronic and acute diseases, civic participation, and community trust. The scores for the Racial and Ethnic Diversity indicator are calculated using the Simpson Diversity Index and U.S. Census data. A higher index score indicates greater diversity.

Neighborhoodsort descending Indicator Value Rank
Acipco-Finley 0.4 -
Airport Highlands 0.3 -
Apple Valley 0.5 -
Arlington - West End 0 -
Belview Heights 0.1 -
Bridlewood 0.4 -
Brown Springs 0.2 -
Brownsville Heights 0.3 -
Brummitt Heights 0.1 -
Bush Hills 0.5 -
Central City 0.5 -
Central Park 0.1 -
Central Pratt 0.1 -
College Hills 0 -
Collegeville 0 -
Crestline 0.3 -
Crestwood North 0.4 -
Crestwood South 0.4 -
Dolomite 0.4 -
Druid Hills 0.5 -
East Avondale 0.6 -
East Birmingham 0.3 -
East Brownville 0 -
East Lake 0.2 -
East Thomas 0.3 -
Eastwood 0.5 -
Echo Highlands 0.2 -
Enon Ridge 0 -
Ensley 0.1 -
Ensley Highlands 0.3 -
Evergreen 0 -
Fairmont 0.4 -
Fairview 0.1 -
Five Points South 0.6 -
Forest Park 0.5 -
Fountain Heights 0.3 -
Garden Highlands 0.2 -
Gate City 0 -
Germania Park 0.1 -
Glen Iris 0.6 -
Grasselli Heights 0 -
Graymont 0.1 -
Green Acres 0.1 -
Harriman Park 0.3 -
Highland Park 0.4 -
Hillman 0 -
Hillman Park 0 -
Hooper City 0.2 -
Huffman 0.4 -
Industrial Center 0 -
Inglenook 0.2 -
Jones Valley 0 -
Killough Springs 0.2 -
Kingston 0.1 -
Liberty Highlands 0.4 -
Maple Grove 0 -
Mason City 0 -
North Avondale 0.1 -
North Birmingham 0.1 -
North East Lake 0.3 -
North Pratt 0.1 -
North Titusville 0.1 -
Norwood 0.2 -
Oak Ridge 0.4 -
Oak Ridge Park 0.5 -
Oakwood Place 0.1 -
Overton 0.5 -
Oxmoor 0.4 -
Penfield Park 0.4 -
Pine Knoll Vista 0 -
Powderly 0.5 -
Redmont Park 0.5 -
Riley 0 -
Rising - West Princeton 0.1 -
Roebuck 0.4 -
Roebuck Springs 0.5 -
Roosevelt 0.3 -
Sandusky 0.4 -
Sherman Heights 0.4 -
Smithfield 0 -
Smithfield Estates 0.2 -
South East Lake 0.3 -
South Pratt 0 -
South Titusville 0.1 -
South Woodlawn 0.3 -
Southside 0.4 -
Spring Lake 0.5 -
Sun Valley 0.5 -
Tarpley City 0.5 -
Thomas 0.2 -
Tuxedo 0.2 -
Wahouma 0.4 -
West Brownville 0.4 -
West End Manor 0 -
West Goldwire 0 -
Woodland Park 0.5 -
Woodlawn 0.5 -
Wylam 0.3 -
Zion City 0.3 -

Key Citations:
1. Acevedo-Garcia D, Lochner KA, Osypuk TL, Subramanian SV. Future Directions in Residential Segregation and Health Research: A Multilevel Approach. Am J of Pub Health. 2003;93:215-221.
2. Maantay J. Zoning, equity, and public health. Am J of Pub Health. 2001;91:1033-1041.
3. Sampson RJ, Raudenbush SW, Earls F. Neighborhoods and violent crime: a multilevel study of collective efficacy. Science. 1997;277:918-924.
4. Schulz AJ, Williams DR, Israel BA, Lempert LB. Racial and spatial relations as fundamental determinants of health in Detroit. The Milbank Quarterly. 2002; 80:677-707.
5. Williams DR, Collins C. Racial residential segregation: a fundamental cause of racial disparities in health. Public Health Reports. 2001;116:404-416.