The Concentration of Affluence in the U.S. from 1990 to 2000

Abstract

This study considers the possible increase in the concentration of affluence from 1990 to 2000, as well as factors affecting the concentration of affluence and racial differences in the concentration of affluence. Analyses using U.S. Census data for Metropolitan Statistical Areas for 1990 and 2000 indicated that the rate of concentrated affluence did increase from 1990 to 2000. Using ordinary least squares regression, this study showed that economic and social factors including the change in the proportion of the labor force employed in manufacturing from 1990 to 2000, change in mean household income from 1990 to 2000, and change in the log of affluent households from 1990 to 2000 were all significant in explaining the increase in the concentration of affluence.

With regard to race, the concentration of affluence did increase from 1990 to 2000 for both whites and blacks; however, there were differences in the variables related to this increase. For whites, the variables that were related to an increase in the concentration of affluence from 1990 to 2000 were the same as those for the larger population. However, for blacks region of the U.S. was a determining factor with regard to the increase in the concentration of affluence along with the change in the log of affluent households.