Values outweigh political ideology when forming beliefs about gentrification: A study of the U.S. general public

Lauren E. Mullenbach, Nick A. D. Pitas and Ben Hickerson

Community Development, 2026, vol. 57, issue 1, 23-44

Abstract: Gentrification has challenged cities across the U.S., mostly harming low-income and communities of color. As municipalities consider different ways to handle gentrification – either encouraging its progress or constraining its harm – they may consider public opinion on the issue when making decisions. However, information regarding public opinion on gentrification remains in short supply, especially on a large, nationwide scale. This study sought to close this gap through a national-scale online survey analyzed using structural equation modeling. We found that three politically influential values – conservatism, self-enhancement, and self-transcendence – were significantly related to the general public’s beliefs about gentrification. We found that more conservative respondents were more strongly in favor of development, and that self-transcendent respondents (those who look out for others) were in favor of integrating residents of different backgrounds and incomes in city neighborhoods – indicating progressive ideals. These findings bolster Schwartz values theory and illustrate potential voters’ beliefs about gentrification.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:comdev:v:57:y:2026:i:1:p:23-44

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DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2025.2473072

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