Residential Segregation

Residential Segregation measures the percentage of residents that live in racially segregated census tracts in the St. Louis region. Racially segregated census tracts are census tracts in which the population is either more than 90% black or more than 90% white. According to 2016 estimates, 175 census tracts (about 40%) met this criterion, encompassing around 753,000 residents, or about 43% of the region’s population.

Residential Segregation Indicator Scores

City of
St. Louis

72

St. Louis
County

67

St. Charles
County

57

St. Clair
County

72

Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016

Data Note: While there are differences in the prevalence of residential segregation by race, Equity Indicators has chosen to use overall levels of segregation as the indicator to better align with goal setting. It is not desirable to have equal levels of segregation amongst black and white residents. Rather, St. Louis should have zero residents living in extremely segregated neighborhoods.

What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Residential Segregation, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean no city residents live in racially segregated neighborhoods. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

In the St. Louis area, 753,000 residents live in racially segregated census tracts. This means that over 43% of St. Louis residents are unlikely to have neighbors that are people of races other than their own. About 30% of black residents in the region are living in black-segregated census tracts, while 42% of white residents are living in white-segregated census tracts. These disparities vary when examined by each county of the four-county region.

In St. Clair County, 26.6% of the total population lives in a segregated census tract. Black residents are about 2.5 times as likely as white residents to live in segregated census tracts of their own race, and approximately 53% of the population within segregated census tracts is black.

In the City of St. Louis, 27.5% of the total population lives in a segregated census tract. Black residents are four times as likely as white residents to live in segregated census tracts of their own race, and about 81% of the population within segregated census tracts is black.

In St. Louis County, 37.6% of the total population lives in a segregated census tract, and white residents are nearly three times more likely than white residents to live in a segregated census tract of their own race. Approximately 85% of the population living in segregated areas in St. Louis County is white.

In St. Charles County, about 57.5% of the total population lives in a segregated census tract, nearly all of whom are white (94%). White residents in St. Charles County are about 76% more likely than black residents, and 57% more likely than residents of all other races, to live in these census tracts. It should be noted that of the 43 out of 79 census tracts that are considered segregated in St. Charles County, and all of these are majority-white census tracts. There is one St. Charles County census tract that is 24% African American, but most tracts have 10% or less African American residents.

Why Does Residential Segregation Matter?

Residential segregation is a measure of residents’ ability to connect with people of other races as neighbors. In addition, it is also a measure of St. Louis’ recovery from the long-lasting negative impacts of government-enforced housing segregation. Regulatory tools were used to ensure racial segregation included racial zoning, restricted deed covenants, and redlining. For a more complete history of racial segregation in St. Louis, see the 2018 report Segregation in St. Louis, written by For the Sake of All (now known as Health Equity Works).

Not only does where someone lives affects their quality of life, but it also changes their experience of institutions, from policing to education. When significant numbers of people live in completely different circumstances, it creates barriers toward achieving a shared understanding of the challenges we face as a community.

In addition, segregation is a leading indicator, cause, and excuse for many other racial disparities. The report Segregation in St. Louis summarized the effects of segregation in this way:

 

“One of [racial] segregation’s most powerful impacts on health is its tendency to produce concentrated areas of urban poverty… These highly segregated areas of concentrated poverty often lack access to municipal services, basic amenities like grocery stores, other retail, banks, and proximity to job opportunities. Educational resources also tend to be limited…”

Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission’s report are linked with this indicator?

The Ferguson Commission’s calls to action related to eliminating segregation include:

Questions for Further Investigation:

  • Why is there a racial disparity in Residential Segregation?
  • What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Residential Segregation?
  • What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Residential Segregation?

How can I learn more about this issue?

In 2018, For the Sake of All (now Health Equity Works) released its report Segregation in St. Louis, which summarizes the history and impacts of segregation on the St. Louis region.

Residential Segregation Data

 Census tracts where the population is more than 90% black or white
COUNT
OF
TRACTS
POPULATION

EQUITY
SCORE
Black
White
Other
Total
Segregated-Black Census Tracts
3370,0101,3951,30872,713
Segregated-White Census Tracts
427213,48057714,329
Segregated Census Tracts
3770,28214,8751,88587,042
% of Residents that Live in Segregated Census Tracts
-46.60%11.00%6.30%27.50%72

Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016

 Census tracts where the population is more than 90% black or white
COUNT
OF
TRACTS
POPULATION

EQUITY
SCORE
Black
White
Other
Total
Segregated-Black Census Tracts
1037,2762,16069240,128
Segregated-White Census Tracts
645,280316,52614,305336,111
Segregated Census Tracts
7442,556318,68614,997376,239
County Total
199235,920692,73571,9051,000,560
% of Residents that Live in Segregated Census Tracts
-18.04%46.00%20.86%37.60%67
% Living in Segregated Tract of Their Own Race
-15.80%45.69%NANA

Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016

 Census tracts where the population is more than 90% black or white
COUNT
OF
TRACTS
POPULATION

EQUITY
SCORE
Black
White
Other
Total
Segregated-Black Census Tracts
0000
Segregated-White Census Tracts
435,688205,3157,461218,464
Segregated Census Tracts
435,688205,3157,461218,464
County Total
7916,761343,46419,631379,856
% of Residents that Live in Segregated Census Tracts
-33.94%59.78%38.01%57.51%57
% Living in Segregated Tract of Their Own Race
-NA59.78%NANA

Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016

 Census tracts where the population is more than 90% black or white
COUNT
OF
TRACTS
POPULATION

EQUITY
SCORE
Black
White
Other
Total
Segregated-Black Census Tracts
1536,54664676037,952
Segregated-White Census Tracts
631431,82258832,724
Segregated Census Tracts
2136,86032,4681,34870,676
County Total
6079,402172,39613,771265,569
% of Residents that Live in Segregated Census Tracts
-46.42%18.83%9.79%26.61%72
% Living in Segregated Tract of Their Own Race
-46.03%18.46%NANA

Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016