The Impact of Amazon Warehouses on Communities

Often located in low-income communities of color, Amazon's warehouses contribute to public health impacts like poor air quality, noise pollution, and traffic congestion.

2 minute read

December 16, 2021, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Amazon Warehouse

Scott Lewis / Flickr

An investigation from Consumer Reports uncovered that most neighborhoods where Amazon builds its warehouses are home to more people of color and low-income households than other neighborhoods in the same areas—and that this choice has powerful consequences for local residents. According to an article by Kaveh Waddell, "Residents near the new warehouses say they face increased air pollution from trucks and vans, more dangerous streets for kids walking or biking, and other quality-of-life issues, such as clogged traffic and near-constant noise."

According to the investigation's findings, "the neighborhoods where Amazon opens warehouses often have a greater proportion of people of color than 70 percent or more of the surrounding metro area’s neighborhoods." Meanwhile, the company's retail stores, such as Whole Foods, are more often located in "wealthier, whiter neighborhoods."

The article details the health impacts of truck traffic and pollution and the disproportionate influence of Amazon in the growing delivery industry. In many cases, the company receives tax incentives to build warehouses, effectively receiving subsidies from the very communities their operations harm.

In response to concerns about impacts on neighborhoods and labor issues, some cities in Southern California's Inland Empire have passed moratoriums on new warehouses, and the state's attorney general sued to stop the construction of a (non-Amazon) warehouse project. And while Amazon has promised to electrify its delivery truck fleet, that change would not mitigate the effects of heavy trucks lumbering down residential streets and, in some cases, causing physical damage to adjacent homes. 

As Amazon's need for more warehouses continues to grow, the company is now buying real estate rather than leasing it to capture more of the value created by their properties.

Thursday, December 9, 2021 in Consumer Reports

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

5 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

6 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

7 hours ago - CNU Public Square