Minority-White income inequality across metropolitan areas: The role of racial/ethnic residential segregation and transportation networks

Racial/ethnic inequality is a common feature of urban life. This paper attempts to identify spatial structures that contribute to disparities in White and minority incomes. In a study of 49 core based statistical areas (CBSAs) in the U.S., we analyze 2016 data on racial/ethnic income inequality, 2010 data on minority-White segregation, and 2014 data on job accessibility through transit, driving and pedestrian transportation networks. We find that Black and Latino incomes are far lower than White incomes where the former are more segregated and if transit, driving, and pedestrian networks are more efficient, i.e., residents can access a larger proportion of metro area employment opportunities during the morning rush hour. For Latinos, these effects are independent of each other. For Blacks, they are substitutes. We conclude by offering various explanations for why transit and pedestrian networks, in particular, could contribute to racial inequality.