This project investigates the demographic and income patterns driving urban displacement across a study population of 9.75 million — exposing the fault lines between who benefits from neighborhood change and who cannot afford to stay.
"Gentrification is not random. It follows the predictable geography of concentrated wealth, moving into neighborhoods where longtime residents cannot compete on income alone." cite
South Gate–East LA is over 95% Hispanic — the most racially concentrated working-class district in our dataset. Rent here has risen significantly since 2016. cite
Nonfamily households — the most rent-burdened group — spend an estimated 43% of income on rent, 13 points above HUD's cost-burden threshold. cite
Gentrification reshapes cities neighborhood by neighborhood — changing who can afford to live where, and who gets left behind. This project draws on U.S. Census ACS data to quantify the demographic and income patterns that drive urban displacement across LA County's 8 Community College Districts.
By examining racial composition alongside income and rent data, we can see how structural economic inequality maps directly onto housing pressure — and who, ultimately, pays the price of change.
Use the navigation above to explore the raw data, read the interactive narrative, and view our summary visualizations.
"The data doesn't lie: neighborhoods with the highest concentration of working-class renters and income inequality are the most vulnerable to rapid, irreversible change." — Urban Change Lab · Research Summary · 2024