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Published in: Journal of African American Studies 1-2/2019

19-03-2019 | ARTICLES

Whose Turf, whose Town? Race, Status, and Attitudes of Washington DC Residents toward Gentrification

Authors: Carley M. Shinault, Richard Seltzer

Published in: Journal of African American Studies | Issue 1-2/2019

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Abstract

Once coined “Chocolate City” by residents of the majority black capital city, Washington, DC, has more recently been referred to as “Chocolate Swirl.” Since the early 2000s, Washington has experienced marked shifts in its racial and socioeconomic composition. Census data indicates that from 2000 to 2012, the district’s black population decreased from 60% to 50% while the white population increased from 30 to 48%. Homes that then sold for $200,000 are now selling for over $800,000. While arguments of the advantages and disadvantages of gentrification are prevalent, this research explores a frequently overlooked perspective. Using 2014 Washington Post Poll data, we explore the perspectives of current DC residents and examine the impact of race and class on attitudes toward the costs and benefits of gentrification. Results indicate that, while race is a significant indicator, class position is a more salient determinant of resident attitudes toward gentrification in Washington, DC.

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Footnotes
1
Millenials make up only 23% of the US population as a whole.
 
2
A special thanks to the Washington Post for providing access to the underlying data.
 
3
In the tables, we report all results that are statistically significant. Empty cells reflect findings that were not statistically significant. However, we do not believe that differences of less than ten percentage points are substantively significant and are often ignored in our discussion.
 
4
Age is measured in three groups ranging from 18 to over 50 years as 18–29, 30–49, and 50+.
 
5
Income is measured in 3 groups for whites and 5 groups for blacks ranging from $0 to over $100,000 due to a skewed income distribution by race in the district.
 
6
Ward 1 incorporates communities such as Columbia Heights and U Street Corridor. These areas are well known for suffering severe damage during the 1968 riots, and were not rebuilt for decades.
 
7
Ward 6 includes communities such as Capitol Hill and NOMA (North of Massachusetts Ave.)
 
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Metadata
Title
Whose Turf, whose Town? Race, Status, and Attitudes of Washington DC Residents toward Gentrification
Authors
Carley M. Shinault
Richard Seltzer
Publication date
19-03-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of African American Studies / Issue 1-2/2019
Print ISSN: 1559-1646
Electronic ISSN: 1936-4741
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-019-09427-9

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