Vacancy
Vacancy measures the number of vacant residential units, both owner and rental units, as a percentage of the total units in a census tract across the St. Louis region. As of 2016, there were almost 95,000 such identifiable units in the four-county region, making up approximately 11% of residential units in the region.
Vacancy Indicator Scores
City of
St. Louis
St. Louis
County
St. Charles
County
St. Clair
County
Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016
Data Note: Census tract data were analyzed by the number of vacancies in tracts with 50 percent or more of the population African American residents compared to tracts with 50 percent or more of the population white residents.
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 Vacancy, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean majority-black and majority-white neighborhoods are equally likely to have vacant properties. 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 region, there are on average more than twice the number of vacant residential units in majority-black census tracts than in majority-white census tracts. In the City of St. Louis there are 2.353 times more vacant residential units in majority-black census tracts, and in St. Louis County, there are 2.375 times more. In St. Clair County, the disparity is just over twice as many vacant residential units in majority-black census tracts at 2.094.
If vacancies were equitable, the number of vacancies in majority-black census tracts would have been:
- 6,034 fewer in the City of St. Louis,
- 3,162 fewer in St. Clair County, and
- 8,784 fewer in St. Louis County.
In St. Charles County, there are no census tracts with majority-black residents.
Why Do Vacancies Matter?
The 2018 Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report The Empty House Next Door documents the impact of vacancies lowering the value of properties near them, raising the cost of public services, and increasing crime and violence. The report notes that property values drop exponentially faster than the increase in the number of vacant units, that cost of code enforcement, public health and other services increase, and the vacant units create the opportunity for a variety of criminal activities.
Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission’s report are linked with this indicator?
The Ferguson Commission’s calls to action related to vacancy include:
Questions for Further Investigation:
- Why is there a racial disparity in Vacancy?
- What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Vacancy?
- What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Vacancy?
How can I learn more about this issue?
The St. Louis Vacancy Collaborative is a coalition of local government officials, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood residents, and other stakeholders that are focused on addressing the vacancy challenge in the City of St. Louis. In July 2018, they launched STL Vacancy, an interactive website, where they track vacancy and demolition. Similar initiatives have not developed in the other counties of the St. Louis region.
Vacancy Data
Percent of vacant residential units
| All | Majority Black | Majority White | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acres of Vacant Parcels | 2,619 | 2,338 | 182 | ||
Acres of All Parcels | 37,006 | 18,271 | 13,511 | ||
Percent of Parcel Acres that are Vacant | 7.10% | 12.80% | 1.40% | 9.143 to 1 | 4 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016
Percent of vacant residential units
| Vacant Units | Total Units | Percent Vacant | |
|---|---|---|---|
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% Black | 15,150 | 99,466 | 15.2 |
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% White | 21,671 | 339,071 | 6.4 |
Disparity Ratio | 2.375 | ||
Equity Score | 38 | ||
Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016
Percent of vacant residential units
| Vacant Units | Total Units | Percent Vacant | |
|---|---|---|---|
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% Black | 0 | 0 | NA |
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% White | 6,881 | 147,545 | 4.6 |
Disparity Ratio | NA | ||
Equity Score | NA | ||
Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016
Percent of vacant residential units
| Vacant Units | Total Units | Percent Vacant | |
|---|---|---|---|
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% Black | 6,056 | 27,299 | 22.2 |
Census Tracts-Greater Than 50% White | 9,644 | 91,073 | 10.6 |
Disparity Ratio | 2.094 | ||
Equity Score | 40 | ||
Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2012-2016