Poverty Segregation in Nonmetro Counties: A Spatial Exploration of Segregation Patterns in the U.S.

P. Johnelle Sparks, University of Texas at San Antonio
Corey S. Sparks, University of Texas at San Antonio
Joey Campbell, University of Texas at San Antonio

Most research on segregation focuses on racial residential segregation in metropolitan statistical areas and typically uses a-spatial measures. What is less clear is if segregation measures operate in a similar fashion in nonmetropolitan areas and if spatial patterns exist for poverty segregation in nonmetro counties. The purpose of this research was to examine multiple dimensions of poverty segregation in the US in 2000 for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. We explore the total amount of segregation using a summary index of multiple dimensions of segregation in US counties using an ordinal logistic regression model. Results indicate significant variation in segregation patterns in metro and nonmetro counties in the US, and nonmetro counties outside of the South have significantly lower levels of poverty segregation intensity. This research adds to the literature by exploring patterns of metro and nonmetro poverty segregation and measuring different dimensions of segregation with an explicit spatial referent.