Suburban Advantage: Social Reality or Lingering Ideal

Abstract

Suburban Advantage: Social Reality or Lingering Ideal? There is a lingering assumption embedded in the social sciences that suburban areas are better locations for residence compared to central city areas. This thesis tests whether the objective economic advantage of suburbs has changed over time and whether it varies geographically. Data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS), for the period of 1950 to 2000 are combined with the American Community Survey data from 2005-09. The sample in this study is restricted to non-institutionalized, white heads of households between the ages 18-64 who are not currently students. The findings reveal: (1) a declining suburban advantage for a set of socioeconomic indicators over time and (2) variation in the level and trend of suburb/central city differences across geographic regions.