Demographics

Residential segregation rewards whites while punishing people of color

From 1980 to 2015, homes in white neighborhoods increased in value, on average, $194,000 more than in neighborhoods of color, according to new research. And the rate of the gap in assessed values of these comparable homes in comparable neighborhoods is getting larger over time.

Where does Houston rank among America’s least (and most) segregated cities?

Racial segregation still prevails in most U.S. cities, but it varies widely across the nation, according to a report from City Observatory.

Many in Harris County find themselves living farther and farther from jobs

For the average Harris County household, the combined costs of housing and transportation are at the edge of affordability. Add to that the growing distance between home locations and jobs, and the costs quickly can become unsustainable, particularly for lower-income households.

Charlotte and other Sun Belt cities are powering urban growth, but they have issues to tackle

Large Sun Belt cities have similar strengths, such as strong economies and relatively low costs of living. They also face the same problems, like growing income inequality and rising housing costs. A Kinder Institute report concludes that Sun Belt cities need to find new ways to address their common urban issues.

Why does it take so long to vote?

Overall, waiting times may be improving — but long waits are still common in Black communities. As the percentage of nonwhite voters in a precinct increases, so do wait times.