Suburban Differentiation: On the Contemporary Utility of the Employment-Residence Typology

Abstract

This study seeks to establish rhe contemporary relevance of type of suburb (whether it is residential or "employing'>. .suburb age, andsizejor suburban differentiation. First, data are examined in replication of Schnore k (1965) srudy qf'suhurban djjferentiation. Second, the functions, age, and size of suburbs are explored as possible explanations for [he socioeconomic and demographic dij'erences among suburbs. The findings indicate rhar. Jor predicting suburban d(flerenriarion, the employmentresidence ratio is considerably less useful than previouslj', and suburb size is a weak predictor. Suburb age, in wntrast, exhibirs a highly significantrelationship to the characrer of suburban dijjerenriation.