Gentrification and residential mobility in Philadelphia

• Published in: Regional science and urban economics 2016-11, Vol.61, p.38-51
• Main Authors: Ding, Lei, Hwang, Jackelyn, Divringi, Eileen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Credit scoring; D14; Displacement; Gentrification; J11; Mobility; Neighborhood change; Neighborhoods; Philadelphia; Philadelphia Pennsylvania; R23; Residential mobility; Studies; United States
• ISSN: 0166-0462; 1879-2308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2016.09.004

Gentrification has provoked considerable controversy surrounding its effects on residential displacement. Using a unique individual-level, longitudinal data set, this study examines mobility rates and residential destinations of residents in gentrifying neighborhoods during the recent housing boom and bust in Philadelphia for various strata of residents and different types of gentrification. We find that vulnerable residents, those with low credit scores and without mortgages, are generally no more likely to move from gentrifying neighborhoods compared with their counterparts in nongentrifying neighborhoods. When they do move, however, they are more likely to move to lower-income neighborhoods. Residents in gentrifying neighborhoods at the aggregate level have slightly higher mobility rates, but these rates are largely driven by more advantaged residents. These findings shed new light on the heterogeneity in mobility patterns across residents in gentrifying neighborhoods and suggest that researchers should focus more attention on the quality of residential moves and nonmoves for less advantaged residents, rather than mobility rates alone. •This paper examines the relationship between gentrification and residential mobility from 2002-2014.•Less advantaged residents are generally no more likely to move from gentrifying neighborhoods.•However, less advantaged movers are more likely to move to lower-income neighborhoods.•The mobility patterns vary across gentrification types and economic cycles.