| OCR Text |
Show therefore, a decline in regional quality of life. Demographic Patterns The half-century urban exodus of a large portion of the region's middle and upper income residents has resulted in a regional pattern of distinct racial and income segregation. The region's minority population, particularly blacks and Hispanics, are highly concentrated within the region's central cities. The percent minority population within the region is12.4%, however within the cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy combined the minority population is 31%. While the central cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy contain only 26% of the Capital District's overall population, these three cities contain 64.4% of the region's minority population. 79.4% of the region's black population resided in these three central cities, with 52% in the city of Albany. The concentration of black and Hispanic residents in the region's cities is increasing at a higher rate than the overall regional increase in minority residents. And the exodus of whites from the central cities is increasing faster than the overall population decline. From 1990 to 2000, the city of Albany's overall population dropped by 4,373 persons, yet the city lost 16,041 (-22%) white residents during the same period. A total of 35,526 white non-Hispanics (17.5%) left the four central cities from 1990 to 2000, while minority residents in these cities increased by 17,129 persons (49%). Moreover, these same areas of racial segregation closely correspond with the region's highest concentrations of poverty, and with the region's oldest housing, highest concentration of vacant housing, and highest percentage of rental housing. For example, the overall poverty rate of the Capital District is 9%, while the combined poverty rate within the cities of Albany, Schenectady and Troy is 22%. The region's owner occupied housing rate is 64%; within the city of Albany it is 38%, in the city of Schenectady it is 45%, and in Troy it is 40%. See maps below and http://cdrpc.org/GIS/2K-Thematic-Maps.html for more detailed regional thematic maps. 1/7/2010 Effects of Alternative Development Sc… cdtcmpo.org/policy/june07/wa-doc.htm 15/60 |
