Least Segregated Metropolitan Areas for Blacks in South & West Grew Faster Than National Average in 2010

PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The U.S. metropolitan areas with the lowest black-white residential segregation levels were located in the fast-growing South and West, according to analysis of 2010 U.S. Census results by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).

The most segregated metro areas were mainly concentrated in the slow-growing Northeast and Midwest. The report examined only metro areas with a total population of 500,000 or more and at least 3,000 African-American residents.

The 10 least-segregated metro areas all grew faster than the national average of 11 percent between 2000 and 2010, with seven increasing 20 percent or more. Only one of the 10 most-segregated metros grew at even half the national average.

Least-segregated Raleigh and Las Vegas were among the nation's fastest growing metros with growth of more than 40 percent, while most-segregated Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo lost population.

Segregation persists in older cities that have long-established black neighborhoods and predominantly white suburban enclaves. Cities with high levels of growth and more new construction tend to be less segregated.

Overall, U.S. 2010 Census results show that black-white residential segregation declined modestly since 2000, continuing the gradual pace begun in 1980.

Ten Least Black-White Segregated U.S. Metro Areas, 2010 1. Tucson, Ariz.

2. Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev.

3. Colorado Springs, Colo.

4. Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, S.C.

5. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

6. (tie) Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, S.C.

6. (tie) Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz.

8. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.

9. Augusta-Richmond County, Ga.-S.C.

10. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.

Ten Most Black-White Segregated U.S. Metros, 2010

1. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisc.

2. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.

3. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill.-Ind.-Wisc.

4. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich.

5. Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio

6. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

7. St. Louis, Mo.-Ill.

8. Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.

9. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.

10. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.

Sources: Population Reference Bureau analysis of Decennial Census data on population change. Segregation indices determined by Brookings Institution and University of Michigan analysis of Census tract data.