Humans logo

America's Most Segregated Cities

Segregation is controversial, with many arguing that it's a necessary evil and others asserting that it should no longer exist. America is one of the most segregated countries in the world, and its cities are some of the most segregated places.

By Terry MansfieldPublished about a year ago 4 min read
Like
Atlanta map with racial/ethnicity; whites live largely in north side; blacks in south. By Eric Fischer - Flickr: Race and ethnicity: Atlanta, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia.

Introduction

In this article, we'll look at some of America's most segregated cities and explore the reasons for segregation in American cities based on our research. We'll also examine the consequences of segregation, including increased crime rates, poor health outcomes, and educational inequalities.

The Most Segregated Cities in America (in alphabetical order)

Atlanta GA

Aurora IL

Baltimore MD

Baton Rouge LA

Birmingham AL

Boston MA

Buffalo NY

Charlotte NC

Chicago IL

Chula Vista CA

Cincinnati OH

Cleveland OH

Columbus OH

Dallas TX

Denver CO

Detroit MI

Fort Worth TX

Fremont CA

Garland TX

Glendale CA

Greensboro NC

Hialeah FL

Houston TX

Indianapolis IN

Irvine CA

Irving TX

Jersey NJ

Kansas MO

Long Beach CA

Los Angeles CA

Louisville/Jefferson County metro KY

Memphis TN

Miami FL

Milwaukee WI

Minneapolis MN

Montgomery AL

Nashville-Davidson metro TN

New Orleans LA

New York NY

Newark NJ

Norfolk VA

North Las Vegas NV

Oakland CA

Oklahoma City OK

Omaha NE

Orlando FL

Oxnard CA

Philadelphia PA

Phoenix AZ

Pittsburgh PA

Plano TX

Raleigh NC

Richmond VA

Rochester NY

Sacramento CA

San Diego CA

San Francisco CA

San Jose CA

Santa Ana CA

Scottsdale AZ

St. Louis MO

St. Paul MN

St. Petersburg FL

Tampa FL

Tulsa OK

Washington DC

Winston-Salem NC

The Reasons for Segregation in American Cities

The most common reason for segregation in American cities is economic disparity. This occurs when there is a large gap between the poor and the rich. Wealthy people live in one area, while poorer people live in another. The economic disparity can also lead to segregated neighborhoods within a city.

Lack of Housing Options

Another reason for segregation in American cities is the lack of housing options. This occurs when there are not enough affordable housing options, forcing people of lower socioeconomic status to live in certain areas.

Racism and Prejudice

Racism and prejudice are also major contributing factors to segregation in American cities. This occurs when people of different races or ethnicities face unfair or unequal treatment, which can lead to them having to live in separate areas.

The Consequences of Segregation in American Cities

High crime rates

The most segregated cities in America also tend to have the highest crime rates. Many factors contribute to this, including economic disparity and a lack of opportunity. This can lead to frustration and desperation, which can, in turn, lead to crime.

Creation of "ghettos"

Segregation can also create "ghettos" or areas predominantly populated by one race or ethnic group. It is common for these areas to have high crime rates since they lack resources and are isolated from the rest of the city. This isolation can breed resentment and violence.

Poor Health Outcomes

Segregation can also negatively impact health outcomes. Studies have shown that living in a segregated neighborhood is associated with higher stress, anxiety, and depression rates. These mental health problems can lead to physical health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure.

Segregation can also limit access to healthcare. People who live in segregated neighborhoods are less likely to have insurance or access to quality care. This can lead to higher rates of chronic illness and death.

Educational Inequalities

Segregation can also exacerbate educational inequalities. Children who grow up in segregated neighborhoods are more likely to attend underfunded schools with insufficient resources. A higher percentage will also drop out of school or not reach their academic potential. As a result, they may have difficulty finding good jobs or achieving financial stability later in life.

Segregation can also lead to "tracking," where children of different races are placed in different classes based on their perceived abilities. This can further reinforce educational inequalities and limit opportunities for all students.

Conclusion

In this article, we have listed the most segregated cities in America. The reasons for segregation in American cities include economic disparity, lack of housing options, and racism and prejudice. The consequences of segregation in American cities include increased crime rates, poor health outcomes, and educational inequalities.

Segregation harms both individuals and communities. To create more inclusive and equitable cities, we must work to address the root causes of segregation. This includes addressing economic inequality, increasing housing options, and combating racism and prejudice. Only then can we create truly inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.

References

Segregation: A Global History of Divided Cities (Historical Studies of Urban America)

The 9 Most Segregated Cities In America | HuffPost Impact

The Most Segregated Cities in the United States - WorldAtlas

10 Most Segregated American Cities | TheRichest

Most Segregated Cities in America 2022 - World Population Review

Most to Least Segregated Cities | Othering & Belonging Institute

Segregated in the Heartland: An Investigative Series - Governing

American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass

__________________

Hi, Folks. Get a FREE Subscription to my Substack newsletter, The Write Stuff, and receive a daily article, essay, short fiction, or poem delivered directly to you. Just select the Free Subscription Plan option. Thanks so much for supporting my writing!

__________________

Thank you for reading. (Copyright Terry Mansfield. All rights reserved.)

humanity
Like

About the Creator

Terry Mansfield

Trying to be the best writer I can be. Specialist in eclecticism.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.