Differences among Neighbors

摘要

This study measures differences and similarities in neighbor composition in urban areas of Arizona, Maryland, and Mississippi. The current research is part of a larger long-range American Housing Survey (AHS). The AHS will interview clusters of neighbors in 1985, 1989, and 1993 to show differences, similarities, and effects of neighbors on each other. The 1980 Census questionnaire for each unit will also be available, so that it will be possible to study 13 years of change. The interviews with neighbors will be done at some, but not all, of the units in the AHS. A kernel unit for each cluster will be chosen at random from the national sample of the AHS. Interviews will then be done at the closest housing units to this kernel unit, with distances measured along streets, alleys, or common halls. Interviews will be conducted with about 11,000 neighbors every fourth year. Considerations in the choice of the specific survey methodology are explained. In this current study, the 1980 census is used to examine clusters of neighbors for composition percentages of elderly people, families with children, owners and renters, single-family houses, apartments, inexpensive and expensive housing, and racial and ethnic variables. Analysis of data of 100 unit clusters indicate distribution with specific traits. For example, most clusters were 100 percent single family, about 90 percent owner-occupied, and under 10 percent vacant. Very few clusters were 100 percent elderly or 100 percent families with children. In most clusters, less than half of the houses had elderly people, and only 30-50 percent had children. Results also indicate that most clusters have a heavily black or heavily white composition. Detailed tables are included with interpretation of data. It is suggested that standardization of the distribution or indexes is needed in future studies. Tabular data and 17 references are provided.