Race and Ethnicity in Urban America

[Metro Jacksonville]

Race and Ethnicity in Urban America



A visual representation of race and ethnicity in Jacksonville and across the United States.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-oct-race-and-ethnicity-in-urban-america

[BridgeTroll]

If such a map could have existed 150 years ago when european immigrants such as the Irish, Germans, Poles, Italians, etc you would have seen similar geographic ethnic divisions.

[Jumpinjack]

I think the maps are interesting but I'm not sure what conclusions Rankin could draw from this information.

[thelakelander]

I don't know about Rankin, but MJ can definitely do a lot of things with these scaled density maps.  Especially when it comes to mass transit discussion involving Jacksonville and similar sized or smaller peer cities that continue to make investments that we claim we're to sprawled out for.  Expect to see these pop up from time to time in future discussions and articles.

[archiphreak]

Maps like these make for really interesting conversation, and some really cool looking graphics, but that's about it.  To say that people naturally gravitate to their own kind, in similar social/ethnic/religious groups....well, we all learned that in 5th grade world history.  It's nothing new and I don't honestly believe it will ever be any different.  People naturally seek surroundings where they will feel most comfortable and accepted.  I don't think any of these "divides" were engineered (unless you count I-10 and the MLK Expressway).  I think this is simply the natural course of human behavior.

[BridgeTroll]

As Lake said... they also show population density which is a very important aspect of urban planning.

[Jason]

Lake, I was thinking the same thing.  Just Compare the density of Nashville to Jax.... We certainly have enough to justify the same type of commuter rail system as Nash.

[thelakelander]

I don't think any of these "divides" were engineered (unless you count I-10 and the MLK Expressway).  I think this is simply the natural course of human behavior.

Historically, well before the mid 20th century they were.  There is a reason why many historic urban minority neighborhoods happen to be in flood prone areas, across the tracks or near older heavy industrial zones and it had nothing to do with expressways, white flight and urban renewal.  

Nevertheless, I think the density and growth patterns these maps show are much more important elements for discussion.  For example, draw the skyway on the Jacksonville map and you will clearly see how it misses places where people live.  Draw the Blue Line LRT on Charlotte's map and you'll see how it serves a corridor with less density than urban Jacksonville, yet is touted as being highly successful.  Draw Houston's 7.5 mile starter line and look at how small an area it actually serves yet still pulls in 40,000 riders a day.  Put in the Metro on DC's map and you'll notice a dense chain of TOD population centers connected by rail throughout that city's suburbs.  In other words, use these maps the right way and they can play a powerful role in ripping anti-rail sentiment and excuses to shreads.

[Singejoufflue]

The narrow mindset "it's always been like that" makes my stomach turn.

As race and population density only tell a portion of the story; I would like to see this map overlayed with economic data.  Additionally, can we see the progression of Jacksonville from say 1900 through today?

[tufsu1]

Lake, I was thinking the same thing.  Just Compare the density of Nashville to Jax.... We certainly have enough to justify the same type of commuter rail system as Nash.

I don't think that is something to wish for....Nashville's rail line is struggling and may not last 5 years

[Coolyfett]

Separation of races. Very interesting maps. Houston looks like a rainbow. They seam to have many colors. Interesting huh blacks in Jax have no riverfront property.

[thelakelander]

Lake, I was thinking the same thing.  Just Compare the density of Nashville to Jax.... We certainly have enough to justify the same type of commuter rail system as Nash.

I don't think that is something to wish for....Nashville's rail line is struggling and may not last 5 years

The Nashville line makes for a good comparison.  If you map it out, you'll see that it struggles for ridership because it misses the areas where people live in that metro.

[Doctor_K]

Lake, I was thinking the same thing.  Just Compare the density of Nashville to Jax.... We certainly have enough to justify the same type of commuter rail system as Nash.

I don't think that is something to wish for....Nashville's rail line is struggling and may not last 5 years

The Nashville line makes for a good comparison.  If you map it out, you'll see that it struggles for ridership because it misses the areas were people live in that metro.

Kind of like JTA's most recent B(R)T** proposal?


** (use of the term "B(R)T" courtesy ChrisWUFGator copyright 2010)

[finehoe]

Interesting huh blacks in Jax have no riverfront property.

I guess you've never been along the Ribault River.

I'd like to see the 2010 Census results plotted.

[reednavy]

Lake, I was thinking the same thing.  Just Compare the density of Nashville to Jax.... We certainly have enough to justify the same type of commuter rail system as Nash.

I don't think that is something to wish for....Nashville's rail line is struggling and may not last 5 years

Ironically you say that and a report up here came out with an increase of 41%.

The reason why the Nashville-Lebanon line was first is becuase it isn't a CSX track. Ideally, they wanted to go to Murfressboro first, over 105,000 people, but CSX owns the rails to my hometown and all the other cities bigger than Lebanon.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101012/NEWS01/101012117/Music-City-Star-ridership-up-41-percent