UTC Scholar

Racial Disparities in Homeownership in Tennessee Cities

This research comparatively examines the differential value of homes between African American homeowners and white American homeowners. The racial composition of geographical space within the housing market impacts the most significant form of wealth accumulation for most Americans. Because the correlation between wealth and racial inequality remains significantly high in the United States, continued scholarship on this topic is warranted to examine patterns and determine if housing inequality has undergone a positive or negative change over time. By concentrating on the time period from 1980 to 2010, this research rejuvenates a historical perspective of racialized practices impacting property values differentially. More specifically, this research examines housing prices in the state of Tennessee’s four major cities (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville) using decennial census data to quantify the house values over time in the selected cities. The major findings indicate ongoing and substantial negative change regarding home value outcomes for both African Americans and white American homeowners. The results inform policy recommendations for housing developers, insurance, banking, property assessment professionals, zoning board commissioners, and other economic and political actors who shape policies relevant to wealth and racial inequality in America.