Stated Preferences for Racial Diversity vs Behavior: Evidence from Homebuyers in North Carolina

• In Event: 1451 - Community and Urban Sociology Section Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 9. Neighborhood Choice

Abstract

This research project investigates the decision making of home buyers in Forsyth County, NC. Recent home buyers were recruited through a mailed invitation to complete the survey online; participants received a gift card. The survey included questions about preferences for neighborhood diversity, demographics, and location. Addressed were geocoded to match participants with the demographics of their actual neighborhood. Key Findings: Although there are differences between blacks and whites in their choices for neighborhood diversity, most buyers report preferring an integrated neighborhood. However, those preferences are not related to behavior. There is no difference between (1) people who prefer segregation and (2) people who prefer integration in the actual racial composition of their neighborhoods. Buyers did express preferences for whiter school districts, and those preferences were related to behavior. Abstract preferences for neighborhood diversity are not linked to behavior, but preferences for less diverse schools are linked to behavior.

Author

• Richard Greg Moye, Winston Salem State University