Commuting Distance Sensitivity by Race and Socio-Economic Status

In this study, the authors use a specialized sample of households in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area to examine the responses of individual households to the pattern of work locations in the region. The objective was to examine how race affects the probability of moving closer to a job when households change residence. Using the data set, the study shows that the commuting behaviors of relatively affluent minority and white households are consistent with the over hall hypothesis that households minimize their commuting distance whenever possible. When socioeconomic status is held constant, there are negligible differences in the responses of white and minority households. It is shown that both household types are likely to move closer to work locations with greater distances from the work location.