Tipping and the Dynamics of Segregation

David Card, Alexandre Mas and Jesse Rothstein

Working Papers from Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies.

Abstract: Schelling ("Dynamic Models of Segregation," Journal of Mathematical Sociology 1 (1971), 143-186) showed that extreme segregation can arise from social interactions in white preferences: once the minority share in a neighborhood exceeds a "tipping point," all the whites leave. We use regression discontinuity methods and Census tract data from 1970 through 2000 to test for discontinuities in the dynamics of neighborhood racial composition. We find strong evidence that white population flows exhibit tipping-like behavior in most cities, with a distribution of tipping points ranging from 5% to 20% minority share. Tipping is prevalent both in the suburbs and near existing minority enclaves. In contrast to white population flows, there is little evidence of nonlinearities in rents or housing prices around the tipping point. Tipping points are higher in cities where whites have more tolerant racial attitudes.

Keywords: Census (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-04
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Tipping and the Dynamics of Segregation (2008)
Working Paper: Tipping and the Dynamics of Segregation (2007)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pri:cepsud:147

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