East Avenue

research on the past and present of racial segregation in Austin, Texas

"Those Who Left"

Although Austin is one of the fastest growing major cities in the United States, its African American population has been in steady decline for nearly two decades. African Americans were indeed the only racial group in Austin to experience an absolute numerical decline between 2000 and 2010–a decade of otherwise remarkable growth in the city’s general population. Moreover, no other fast-growing major city experienced a decline in African Americans during that same decade. What are the main reasons behind this loss? And how are those who have resettled outside of the city fairing?

‘Black flight” is a myth. The data reveal that African Americans did not choose to move out of Austin to take advantageof new opportunities that awaited them in the suburbs. They left because of growing inequalities they faced within the city of Austin.

The majority of all respondents—56 percent—stated that they moved out of Austin because the cost of living within the city limits, particularly residential housing prices, was unaffordable. “Unaffordable housing” was the leading reason respondents gave for why they moved out of Austin.

Twenty-four percent of all respondents claimed that they moved out of Austin because they were dissatisfied with the quality of education their children were receiving in East Austin public schools, which are among the most segregated in the city. These respondents believed their children would receive a better education if they went to school districts outside of Austin. “Better schools” was the second leading reason respondents