What does this indicator measure?
This indicator measures the level of social integration in the Dallas metroplex.
Why is this indicator important?
Segregation and isolation are indicators of inequality in society. A strong community requires interaction and discourse between individuals of different backgrounds and viewpoints.
How are we doing?
The Lewis Mumford Center for Comparative Urban and Regional Research tracks segregation through dissimilarity, exposure and isolation indices.
Dissimilarity indices are traditionally used to measure the distribution of two distinct groups across a particular region. Ranging from 0 to 100, the index indicates the percentage of a certain population that must relocate to create an equitable population distribution. According to the Lewis Mumford Center, a value of 60 or above typically is considered to indicate a high level of segregation, 40 to 50, a moderate level, and under 30 a low level.
Historically, the Greater Dallas Area has experienced high levels of segregation. However, recent measurements indicate a trend toward increasingly moderate levels of segregation.
- In 1980, the dissimilarity index for Whites and African-Americans was 77.5. In 2000, the index value had decreased to 59.4.
- A decrease in the dissimilarity index (68.1 in 1980 to 51 in 2000) indicates that African-Americans and Hispanics are experiencing less segregation.
- Within Dallas, the level of segregation is uniformly high with the exception of Whites and Asians (41.7). Index values at or near traditionally high levels of dissimilarity were reported between the following groups: Whites and African-Americans (66.1), Whites and Hispanics (60.6), African-American and Hispanics (58.3), African-Americans and Asians (67.5), and Hispanics and Asians (63.3).
- Based upon criteria that define income levels, index values indicate that residential segregation, by income, is decreasing. A comparison of lower-income households (175% of the poverty line and below) with middle-income households (175% to 350%), and middle-income households with higher-income households (350% and above) indicates low levels of dissimilarity. A similar comparison of lower-income and higher-income households showed a moderate level of segregation, based upon the dissimilarity index score of 44.7.
Exposure indices measure the probabilities for interaction between persons of one group with persons of a different group within a defined geographical region. Isolation indices measure the probabilities for interaction between persons of one group with persons of the same group in a common geographical region. These measures are often greatly affected by population changes.
- Within the Greater Dallas Area, isolation quotients for both Whites and African-Americans decreased from 1980 to 2000. However, during the same time period, the isolation quotients for both Hispanics and Asians have increased.
- Hispanics and Asians have become less exposed to Whites in the Greater Dallas Area from 1980 to 2000. A similar trend has been experienced within the city of Dallas.
Density of households by zipcode in Dallas County
See also maps for
White
Hispanic
Asian