Does a Rising Tide Lift All boats? Macroeconomic Effects on Trends in Kalamazoo's Inner-City Neighborhoods: 1980-2000.

Abstract

This paper examines changes in six low-income, inner-city neighborhoods in the city of Kalamazoo, MI over the years 1980-2000. After a review of relevant literature, data on these neighborhoods-developed for this project-are presented, with decade length trends in important demographic and economic variables described. These trends are then analyzed in the context of national economic performance during the 1980s and 1990s, with a particular focus on the possible effects of trends in economic inequality on the neighborhood findings. The paper concludes with a note on economic trends since 2000, and suggestions for future research and use of the data.