Inequities found in
5
of 5 measures studied

Housing: What We Found

We measured the equity of economic opportunity across the Birmingham region by looking at differences in housing segregation, home-lending practices, income and homeownership.

How we measured equity
EXISTING SEGREGATION
This index shows how segregated neighborhoods in Birmingham are on a scale of 1 to 100, with a higher number indicating more segregation between white people and people of color. Experts studying the issue consider an index 30 or above to represent segregation.
54
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2019)
SEGREGATION OF RECENT HOME LOANS
This index shows potential progress toward integration, measuring segregation of recent home loans in Birmingham. On a scale of 1 to 100, a lower number indicates loan applications are less segregated and indicates a potential move in the market toward more integration. Experts studying the issue consider an index 30 or above to represent segregation.
45
Data Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (2019 loan applications) and U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2019).
HOME LOAN APPROVALS
Inequity
This chart shows the share of home loan applications approved in Birmingham. Studies show white applicants are more likely to get a loan than Black, Latino or Hispanic applicants even when income, debt, credit scores and other factors are similar. Researchers also found white families get lower interest rates, higher appraisals and better loan terms than buyers who are Black, Latino or Hispanic, resulting in lower mortgage payments. We considered a gap of more than five percentage points inequity.
  • 0%
  • 7%
  • 14%
  • 21%
  • 28%
  • 35%
  • 42%
  • 49%
  • 56%
  • 63%
  • 70%
  • White
  • Black
  • Latino or Hispanic
  • All people of color
Data Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (2018 and 2019 loan applications)
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Inequity
This chart shows the gap in median household income across the Birmingham region. Researchers have found Black applicants are hired less and paid less, even with the same education and experience. The advantage for white families is substantial, with Black, Latino or Hispanic families earning at least 10% less in all 100 metro areas and at least 30% less in 89 of 100 metro areas.
  • $0
  • $8k
  • $16k
  • $24k
  • $32k
  • $40k
  • $48k
  • $56k
  • $64k
  • $72k
  • $80k
  • White
  • Black
  • Latino or Hispanic
  • Asian
  • Native American
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2019)
HOME OWNERSHIP
Inequity
This chart shows the share of households in Birmingham who own their homes. Studies show home ownership provides a significant advantage in families’ financial safety net and ability to build generational wealth. White families are more likely to have the advantage of owning their home in all 100 major metro areas. The smallest gap for Black families was 19 percentage points. It was more than 30 percentage points in more than half of metro areas.
  • 0
  • 8
  • 16
  • 24
  • 32
  • 40
  • 48
  • 56
  • 64
  • 72
  • 80
  • White
  • Black
  • Latino or Hispanic
  • All people of color
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2019)

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