Residential Segregation by Age in American Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

Dissimilarity Indexes were computed for 241 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 1970 measuring the dissimilarity of residential distribution between the population 65 and over and the population under 65. When possible comparable indexes were also computed for the same areas for 1960, 1950, and 1940. The pattern of age segregation in 1970 was analyzed and trends were computed from 1940--1970. The average DI in 1970 was 23.1 with a range from 10.9 to 44.4. The highest segregation was found in rapidly growing SMSAs, particularly in the West and South, and in areas with major military or educational institutions which fostered aggregations of age-homogeneous populations. A trend toward increased age segregation was found, especially in the period of rapid urban sprawl during the 1950s. The main factor conducive to age segreation was growth and differentiation accompanying it, although the presence of higher proportions of aged retarded the process and high proportions of nonwhites accelerated it.

Space to Grow Old In: The Availability of Public Spaces for Elderly Persons in Singapore

“…In this discussion on the use of public space, the issue of limited resources comes to the forefront. Promoting built environments for elderly people through subsidies, especially in low-income homes or retirement villages or through corporate ventures, is well researched in the US and in the UK (see Cowgill, 1978;Warnes and Law, 1985;Oldman, 1990;Golant, 1992aGolant, , 1992bLeather and MacKintosh, 1993). These developments, together with zoning to promote congregate living of a homogeneous group of people, generates a demand for services which will need to be dealt with.…”

Residential segregation of the elderly in West-German cities

“…11 and 12). When we compare the indices for German cities (col. 10) with the corresponding values for U.S. cities (Kennedy and de 3ong, 1977;La Gory et al, 1980;Pampel and Choldin, 1978;Cowgill~ 1978) we can state that the segregation of the elderly is more pronounced in American cities(4). For seven cities we can compare the degree of age segregation with that of its foreign residents, mostly working migrants (col. 13).…”

Neighborhood Age Structure and its Implications for Health

“…6 The urban planning literature indicates that age structure drives community infrastructure. [7][8][9] The Chicago neighborhoods of Little Village -a primarily Latino community on the West Side -and Edgewater, a primarily White community near Lake Michigan, provide an illustration (Figures 1 and 2) are based on neighborhood clusters of two to three census tracts for the year 2000. 5,9,10 The population pyramid for Little Village reveals a very young population.…”