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* Kiljoong Kim writes about “Chicago’s Silent Segregation” in the Beachwood Reporter…
Looking at the extremes, out of 801 census tracts in Chicago, there are five areas that have over 90% of the adults who are college educated.
Map…
Not surprisingly, those five areas are all located in affluent sections of the North Side: two census tracts in Lakeview, one census tract each around Sheffield Avenue and the Park West area in Lincoln Park, and one census tract in River North.
In fact, college graduate-majority areas are largely confined to the North Side along the lake, Hyde Park and Beverly.
Map…
On the other hand, there are 55 census tracts where fewer than 5% of residents are college graduates. Again, not surprisingly, virtually all of these areas are located in the West (West Humboldt Park and Hermosa), Southwest (Little Village), and South (Back of the Yard, Englewood, New City, and Marquette Park) Sides of the city.
Map…
This heavy concentration by formal education is not solely about simple division of economic status. If higher income leads to better housing, given that there is plenty of good housing stock spread across the city, we should have far less concentration by educational level. Anyone who has seen small studios and one-bedroom apartments in Lincoln Park and Lakeview can testify that even in these affluent areas, some conditions are far less than desirable. And yet, they are fully occupied by those who long to fit into these neighborhoods.
Conversely, West Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Gage Park and Marquette Park have more than adequate housing options available at fraction of the cost of living in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. This means educational attainment is one of the major determining factors for supply and demand in residential selection: Those with similar levels of education seem to seek similar lifestyles (and living in a certain neighborhood is just as much of a status symbol as cars, clothes, or any other consumption patterns).
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:17 am
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There are two Chicagos.
Everyone knows it.
Comment by youre-it Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:33 am
The author lost me with this comment:
“ignorant parents who were too afraid to send their children to another neighborhood for a baseball game”
Really?
Okay, I get it. The baseball team from Walter Payton High School (Near North Side) did not travel to Gwendolyn Brooks High School (Far South Side) for a baseball game. The parents of the Payton players were accused of being racists for not allowing their children to travel to Brooks for an away game in Roseland.
In the following week, there were six or seven reported shootings in the Roseland neighborhood where Brooks is located. The Chicago media which hyped the forfeiture of the high school baseball game did not have much to say about the shootings in the vicinity of the high school campus and baseball field that occurred a few days later. Several police officers reported the shootings.
What is a good parent to do? Is it discriminatory to be fearful of sending your children into a distant area that has a reputation for being the site of numerous shootings? Should the Police Department or the National Guard been mobilized so that the game could be played in an atmosphere of complete safety?
I would not be so quick to condemn the parents who did not want their children entering a dangerous neighborhood.
Comment by Esquire Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:44 am
–There are two Chicagos.–
Actually, there are way more than two, and there always has been. The region is hardly monolithic in any sense of the word.
That’s what makes today’s Illinois GOP’s neglect — ranging from indifference to hatred — regarding Chicago and Cook County so confounding.
It’s bizarre that there isn’t a serious GOP political organization in the region that produces the most GOP votes and has the greatest potential for growth. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it was deliberate sabotage by Madigan. In reality, it’s just stupid.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:46 am
@ Word
Hatred? really?
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:48 am
>>>>> If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it was deliberate sabotage by Madigan. In reality, it’s just stupid.
Blame Epton.
Comment by John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:49 am
===Hatred? really? ===
Dude, did you just move here or something?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:51 am
“Those who are new to Chicago, particularly those in the highly educated labor force that our mayor desperately wants to attract, will likely to seek housing in relatively small areas of the city.”
I came to Chicago for college and have remained here working and am now in grad school and I can attest to the truth of this
A good many new, young, affluent Chicagoans have the perception that “The South Side” is a complete anathema. They rarely tread west of Damen, south of Roosevelt or north of Irving.
Comment by JAChicago Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:52 am
Word is right.
Additionally, considering the range of political leanings of the suburbs, the weakness of the GOP in Cook County is even more confounding.
Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:53 am
@Rich,
No I grew up here, and not out in the burbs in the City. I was one of the 2 white guys on the basketball team…
I dont claim to vote a straight R ticket ever. But to say the COP hates people…
And the condescension asking if I just moved here? I lived in the city till I joined the military then went back to it, Until I was 30 I was in Cook County 2 blocks from the city limit and lived and worked there.
I could say the same about the Dem side right? They HATE repubs and people on that side? but I dont believe it. I believe they think what word just said, that Repubs and the GOP are EVIL and we HATE people…
When actually, we really just disagree with them and think their answers to some problems are naive and wrong.
Can two politicians from different sides hate each other? yes. But they are often petty.
this is part of the problem. People like Rich and Word actually think that those of use that are Repubs (I’m more libertarian) actually hate people… it makes it much easier to vilify us.
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 10:58 am
===actually think that those of use that are Repubs (I’m more libertarian) actually hate people===
Another victim.
I’m not talking about you in particular. But if you can’t see the very real Chicago hatred in GOP Land, then I don’t know what to tell you, dude.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:01 am
@Rich
I think they hate the system in Chicago. The System they can’t break into. Maybe even they hate some of the politicians. But does that equate to hating the people? not sure it does.
its a one party system in the City. No doubt about that. And the Illinois GOP ahs done a piss poor job of breaking into that area even when D’s go to jail, get caught with their hands in the cookie jar, etc.
I wont argue the point any more as its off topic. But this is like two football fans (Oakland vs Phili) argue like. Our politics now are less about all the real core beliefs and winning people over and more about picking sides and rooting for that team and backing them (right or wrong). And its got to the point where we think people in the GOP or that vote for the GOP hate others.
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:05 am
I visited one of West Humbolt Park’s 5%-er college grads on Sunday. A third of the the lots on his block were vacant and of the remaining buildings, half were condemned.
To describe his neighbors as having “more than adequate housing options” boggles my mind.
That said, I’m now gonna “read the whole thing”.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:08 am
Apparently, the fact that the GOP can’t get any traction in Cook County (Chicago really is more like it) is evidence that they hate Cook County (or is it the folks who live there?). It has nothing to do with the fact that it is fairly typical for folks in large urban areas to vote democratic, right? It’s all about the GOP and their victim mentality? Fascinating.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:14 am
===is evidence that they hate Cook County ===
Don’t be daft.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:18 am
Congratulations to Beachwood for discovering the completely obvious.
Education leads to affluence. Wow.
Anyone want to take a crack at how the CTU and the politicized CPS system helps doom children in economically disadvantaged and largely minority areas to another generation of poverty?
There are dozens of contributing factors for the data shown in this story, but it is really astounding that some zealots here seem to want to blame the GOP. That is the kind of twisted logic that allow “progressives” to avoid any responsibility for the hopelessness in the inner city that their policies have helped create.
Comment by Adam Smith Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:18 am
@Adam Smith
Actually, thats a good point. what other factors play into this (that you noted).
Education for sure has a lot to do with it, but eduction or driving kids toward education is also part of the culture. And there is a huge cultural problem in those under educated areas.
Comment by RonOglesby Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:24 am
Word-the GOP man in the city is the mayor. The tribune ran stories last year about how most of ryan and romney’s donors in the 312 also donate to rahm. Where there is a deficit and should be people are strong independent african american/latino/jewish aldermen/state legislators/county commissioners/congresspeople ect who actually aren’t in office to collect a pay check, show up at a street naming, gouge as many resources as possible without getting indicted, and do whatever their overlords tell them. During the murder wave Rahm was the only politician in the city doing any talking on the issue. No one challenged him, no one challenged cpd. When the teachers went on strike jesse jackson the aging private citizen not jesse jackson the congressman or his wife the alderman stood up and marched. These people, word, just don’t care and aren’t smart enough to do anything.
Case in point. Last week Mike quigley, he the self styled good guy “Washington Wonk” the veritable mr smith goes to washington who sleeps in his office and “takes on the system” spent the week touring museums which was a departure from his usual fare of playing hockey and doing blackhawks events. He at least shows up even if it’s as a $175k a year paid tourist. I have no idea for the life of me what gutierrez, robin kelly, or bobby rush do all day other than send out press releases some leadership aide writes for them. They don’t address these issues or any others.
Comment by Shore Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:26 am
@Wordslinger:
There are actually Republican Ward Committeeman in several Chicago Wards that are totally controlled by the local Democratic politicians, so there is some sabotage going on. Consider how Michael J. Madigan manages to draw a nominal Republican opponent who politely disappears each election cycle without campaigning. Pat Brady actually tried to publicize this fact, but it did not create too much of a splash in the media.
In other areas of Chicago, the lack of Republican precinct election judges is so acute that Democrats are assigned to the posts and they pretend to be “Republicans” for a few hours on election days.
The same is also true of certain suburban townships in Cook County. There are also the “nonaggression pacts” between Democrats and Republicans — witness how well Lipinski and Topinka perform in the exact same election precincts. Topinka has been criticized for her failure to support the entire ticket in her township, but it has not made much of a difference.
Comment by Esquire Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:26 am
“It’s bizarre that there isn’t a serious GOP political organization in the region that produces the most GOP votes and has the greatest potential for growth.” - wordslinger
I’ve lived in that area my entire life, and yes, GOP may get, what - 45% of the vote in the Near North Side, (Reilly’s ward), but by and large these are folks who would never dream of voting Republican, largely due to their positions on social issues (see story re Pat Brady).
For the other areas, GOP tops out at about 20-25%
These are people that like living in a diverse environment. If they didn’t want that they’d have moved to the burbs. Think of Feigenholtz, Ann Williams, those types.
Even if the GOP tried to get an organization or something set up there, it would get absolutely no place as long as the tea party types are in charge.
Comment by low level Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:36 am
In bright-red So Ill, it is indeed hatred of Chicago.
Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:40 am
When the children of families reach school age, parents of means will relocate to an area where the best schools are. This is regardless of city or suburbs. Hence housing is high college-educated areas is more expensive than the rest of the market.
What the study does also state is 32% of Chicago residents are college-educated below other major cities. What is neglects to point out is what is the ‘metropolitan’ percentage. Again those who live in the burbs are cast to the side.
Comment by Darienite Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:41 am
It seems as if the only wards where the Republicans can put up respectable totals (usually in Presidential years) are in 19, 36, 38, 41, 42, 43 and 45. Nothing approaching winning margins, but modest numbers.
Comment by Esquire Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 11:43 am
===In bright-red So Ill, it is indeed hatred of Chicago. ===
You don’t have to travel that far.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 12:03 pm
It’s no surprise that Beverly (Tom Dart’s Neighborhood) and Mt. Greenwood, are where the most educated on the farther south side live. These are both the priciest areas to buy homes as well (on the farther south side). Hyde Park is of no surprise for a south side neighborhood.
Most people who graduate college and want to work and live in the city move to the North side, that area is full of transplants who want to try out the city life before starting a family and taking the metra in from the suburbs.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 12:04 pm
I didn’t realize that pointing out that some people hate Chicago was controversial, lol.
This just in: the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. Discuss.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 12:28 pm
”
This just in: the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. Discuss.”
That’s how I felt about the author’s groundbreaking conclusion that education and affluence are correlated.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 12:53 pm
===It’s no surprise that Beverly (Tom Dart’s Neighborhood) and Mt. Greenwood, are where the most educated on the farther south side live. These are both the priciest areas to buy homes as well (on the farther south side). Hyde Park is of no surprise for a south side neighborhood.
===
I am somewhat surprised Beverly didn’t get above the 90% threshold. I’ll guess some of that has to do with the large number of CPD, CFD, City Workers who live there to fulfill residency requirements.
Comment by Verbal Kint Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 2:58 pm
@MrJM
First off, I hate to post as anonymous but I have yet to think of a clever nickname. Long time reader, first time commenting.
I am wrapping up my first house search in the city (purchasing in West Lawn). While it is true that swaths of Humboldt have vacant or condemned buildings, you also wouldn’t believe the huge number of recently renovated conventional sales, short sales, and REOs, as well as condos that are 10 years old or newer. After looking far and wide in the city at apartments, condos, and single family homes, it is abundantly clear that access to a CTA train line has a huge impact on the availability of affordable, decent housing. The closer it is to a CTA train, the less it has, which some exceptions on the Southwest Side. This is one of the biggest reasons I’m purchasing there.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 3:02 pm
I’m not sure the point of this piece other than education is a strong indicator/cause of affluence. Not news. Or that there are rich and poor parts of Chicago. Also not news.
Also, as Esquire noted above, this comment, “ignorant parents who were too afraid to send their children to another neighborhood for a baseball game” is clearly written by someone who doesn’t have kids (and also isn’t particularly facile with the English language). 1) Whether rich or poor, good parents do what they can to protect their kids, often making significant sacrifices. That doesn’t necessarily make a parent ignorant - it just makes them informed.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 3:24 pm
When I was in 6th grade, my teacher (a recent escapee from the South Side) taught our class about Chicago’s “dumbbell economy”…that is, the Loop had wealth, the inner city outside the Loop had poverty, and another concentric ring outside the inner city had wealth also. Seeing the 3rd map here gave new meaning to the term “dumbbell economy”…sorry about the snark.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 3:26 pm
Whoa! The guns were really ‘ablazin at some points North of THIS Comment as I saw it. People need to chill. I mean, cmon, what about those 2 guys named Big Jim, and the other Jim an Edgar, who seemed to have NO problem winnin’ State-wide–and doin’ pretty darn well up in Chicagoland if my memory serves me correctly. Yet, attitudes do affect things, including who wins Statewide Offices (and any attitude breeding abject HAtred sure as heck’ll NEVer help). But, really, if you look at it, in the end, a LOT of it has to do with the Individual, and if residents in Cook County and Chicago find a GOP fella (or gal) respectable, who has an impressive track record, and, yes, may even likable, they’ll vote for him/her alright–and not only the 2 Former Guvs I’ve referenced, but what about now GOP U.S. SENator Mark Kirk, and, Heavens to Betsy, let’s not forget about those GLOBS of “Reagan Democrats” back in the 80’s…! New, dynamic, or at least quite attractive, Candidates arise over time. Things change. It was a RePUBlican President who inspired the Country to end slavery, etc. etc…!
Oh, and by the way, as to the Post, the Maps were very interesting and quite informative too!!!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, May 7, 13 @ 6:22 pm