Cities and suburbs now form an interdependent, geographically-dispersed regional economy, each with distinct functions. There are fewer middle-income jobs associated with these sectors of the economy. 2 Impacts on Suburbs Suburbs, too, have experienced tremendous change as they have transformed from bedroom communities to sprawling residential and commercial centers. The decline in real wages is particularly startling for immigrants. Between 1980 and 1990, for example, minority participation in the Alameda County work force increased while Non-Hispanic White participation decreased.
Minorities also tend to be overrepresented in service sector positions.
These jobs are often lower-paying and less stable, yet represent the fastest growing segment of the labor force. The fastest growing sector in the national, as well as Bay Area, economy is services. There are fewer middle income jobs in the service sector, and these tend to be located in suburban areas and linked to the information economy. Suburban areas dominate the region in the absolute number of new jobs across all wage categories. This mirrors Oakland's role as a port city as well as a government and business center.