Mapping the Effects of Racial and Ethnic Heterogeneity on Homicide Count

• In Event: Race/Ethnicity, Immigration, Illicit Markets, and Crime

Abstract

Recent literature has suggested that the effect of racial and ethnic heterogeneity on homicide varies at different levels of aggregation. The current study intends to fill an important gap in the currently existing literature. We intend to cultivate a better understanding of how racial and ethnic heterogeneity affects homicide through comparison of data in four different levels of aggregation in Chicago. To do this we will examine racial and ethnic heterogeneity at the zip code, census tract, and block group levels of analysis. We will utilize data coming from the Chicago Data Portal and the American Community Survey. The Chicago Data Portal will provide crime data used in this study. In addition, our economic measures will come from the American Community Survey. Our final measure will be completed utilizing Geographic Information Systems technology to aggregate homicides and racial and ethnic heterogeneity at different levels of analysis. We posit that the effect of racial and ethnic heterogeneity on homicide will differ based on the level of aggregation.

Authors

• Kayla Toohy, University of Memphis

• James McCutcheon, University of Memphis