Population Reference Bureau Population Bulletin Vol. Working Lives Income, Wealth, and Poverty Political Participation Minorities and U.S. Culture New Realities Suggested Resources References Related Publications America's Racial and Ethnic Minorities Urban Residence Central Cities Suburbs Residential Segregation Minorities are more likely than whites to live in cities and metropolitan areas. 40 Blacks and American Indians are the only minority groups with any significant rural population. Nearly one-half of American Indians live in rural areas, many on reservations.
Minorities are a significant presence in many of the nation's largest metropolitan areas.
Central Cities Minorities make up a disproportionately large share of residents in the central cities that form the core of metropolitan areas. The percentage has been increasing. Between 1980 and 1998, the minority share of central-city populations climbed from 35 percent to 47 percent. The growing minority share of central city populations is reflected in the shifting makeup of local governments and has contributed to a new generation of minority politicians. Several factors help explain the high concentration of minorities in central cities.