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The Role of Homophily in Response to Labor Market Opportunities: Differences Across Race and Ethnicity

Author

Listed:
  • Kalee E. Burns
  • Julie L. Hotchkiss

Abstract

This paper investigates the role that homophily might play in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in the labor market. We find that Black and Hispanic workers are less responsive than White workers to changes in job opportunities, but responsiveness increases when those opportunities present themselves in locations with a higher share own-race population. The analysis makes use of restricted American Community Survey data, accessible through the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers, allowing us to include commuting zones that may otherwise not be identified because of suppressed location information in the public data

Suggested Citation

  • Kalee E. Burns & Julie L. Hotchkiss, 2026. "The Role of Homophily in Response to Labor Market Opportunities: Differences Across Race and Ethnicity," Working Papers 26-22, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:26-22
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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2026/adrm/ces/CES-WP-26-22.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2026
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Amior & Alan Manning, 2018. "The Persistence of Local Joblessness," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(7), pages 1942-1970, July.
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    JEL classification:

    • R22 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Other Demand
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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