Household Location and Race: Estimates of a Multinomial Logit Model

A multinomial logit model of household location choice, in which families choose from a number of mutually exclusive residential location, is estimated. Regression results indicate that the locational choices of white and black households are importantly, but differently, affected by their socioeconomic characteristics; in that regard, black suburbanization patterns are little influenced by large simulated changes in household characteristics. Findings suggest that policies which focus on the educational and earnings opportunities of blacks would likely be largely ineffectual in fostering the integration of predominantly white suburban communities. Copyright 1989 by MIT Press.