Although most central cities continue to grow slowly, only 11 of the 30 largest cities in 1970 have more people today than two decades ago. These population losses frequently translate into a shrinking municipal tax base. Since 1970, nearly 6 million middle-income and affluent families have left central cities. Poverty in cities is higher than in suburbs and among minorities than whites. While overall poverty rates have dropped, poverty is more concentrated in distressed urban areas.
Poverty remains highly concentrated in certain neighborhoods.
The persistence of discrimination in the housing market leads to discrimination in cities. Almost one in four African American and Hispanic residents of central cities live in census tracts where more than 40 percent of their neighbors are poor, compared with only 3 percent of the white urban population. That Are Critical To Reducing Poverty And Attracting And Retaining Middle-Class Families. Coordinated efforts of all levels of government and business are needed to address this challenge. Minority youth unemployment remains high.