Moving Towards a Melting Pot

According to data from the most recent Census, segregation along racial lines has hit an 100-year low in seventy-five percent of U.S. metropolitan areas. Southern and Western cities have showed the most noticeable integration trends.

1 minute read

December 15, 2010, 5:00 AM PST

By Emily Laetz


New figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that racial boundaries are fading in many American neighborhoods within metropolitan areas. The data was collected through the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, which, with 10 million participants, is the largest demographic survey ever completed in the country.

Of particular interest to politicians and lawmakers alike is the Congressional redistricting issues that have emerged as racial demographics change according to geographical location.

"The shift is part of a 'complicated story with lots of nuances' that includes changes in social attitudes, the emergence of new housing and economic opportunity, and an age gap that shows young America is dramatically more diverse – and open to diversity – than older generations, says Kenneth Johnson, a demographer at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham."

" 'Whether you like it or not, [the new figures] show that change is coming,' says Mr. Johnson."

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in The Christian Science Monitor

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 20, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A yellow, two-story building named Ferns with two American flags.

This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way

Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”

October 22, 2026 - Boston Globe

A pig poking its snout between the bars.

Iowa taxpayers are paying thousands to clean manure out of their water

While the Clean Water Act makes states responsible for regulating factory farms that discharge pollutants, Iowa has turned a blind eye to the polluting farms.

3 hours ago - Inside Climate News

Amtrak officials cut the ribbon at the new Seattle facility.

Amtrak cuts ribbon on Seattle Airo maintenance facility

The $250 million, nearly 100,000-square-foot building can house an entire Cascades Airo trainset.

4 hours ago - Railway Supply

One of Google's power plants pumping pollution into the air.

To power data centers, Google seeks autonomous control of thousands of homes’ electricity

The tech company has signed a deal to indirectly pay Mid-Atlantic residents to reduce their power demand when the grid is strained.

5 hours ago - New York Times