MIGRATION AND METROPOLITAN OPPORTUNITY STRUCTURES - A DEMOGRAPHIC RESPONSE TO RACIAL-INEQUALITY

This paper examines the impact of racial inequality on black and white migration rates for a sample of metropolitan areas in the United States 1975-1980. A conceptual framework for migration that includes a measure of racial inequality is developed and evaluated. The results indicate that blacks are attracted to areas with lower levels of inequality, but contrary to our expectations, the rate of black out-migration is lower in Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas with higher levels of racial inequality. In addition, whites seem to be attracted to labor markets where whites have the greatest advantage as measured by occupational inequality, and they are more likely to leave areas where the competition with blacks for jobs is greater. Implications for theory and further research for the comparative study of black and white migration are outlined. © 1992.