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Staying or Moving: Racial Differences in Single Mothers’ Residential Stability

Author

Listed:
  • Ryan Gabriel

    (Department of Sociology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Peter Polhill

    (ILR School, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

  • Adrienne Waite

    (Department of Sociology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the residential stability and mobility patterns of Black single mothers compared to White single mothers. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1970 to 2015, linked to the U.S. Census for contextual characteristics, our multilevel linear probability models reveal substantial racial disparities. Black single mothers have a lower probability of remaining in non-poor neighborhoods rather than migrating to poor neighborhoods relative to White single mothers. Conversely, Black single mothers possess a higher probability of remaining in poor neighborhoods instead of moving to non-poor ones in relation to White single mothers. When economic resources are allowed to vary between Black and White single mothers, even higher-income Black single mothers cannot convert these resources into remaining in or migrating to non-poor neighborhoods at the same rate as White single mothers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan Gabriel & Peter Polhill & Adrienne Waite, 2025. "Staying or Moving: Racial Differences in Single Mothers’ Residential Stability," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:149-:d:1602792
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Amy Spring & Elizabeth Ackert & Kyle Crowder & Scott J. South, 2017. "Influence of Proximity to Kin on Residential Mobility and Destination Choice: Examining Local Movers in Metropolitan Areas," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(4), pages 1277-1304, August.
    2. Jeremy Pais & Scott South & Kyle Crowder, 2009. "White Flight Revisited: A Multiethnic Perspective on Neighborhood Out-Migration," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 28(3), pages 321-346, June.
    3. Becky Pettit & Stephanie Ewert, 2009. "Employment gains and wage declines: The erosion of black women’s relative wages since 1980," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 46(3), pages 469-492, August.
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