Economy
The Neighborhoods That Offer a ‘Bargain’ on Upward Mobility
New research shows that communities just miles apart that look similar may offer vastly different chances to climb up the economic ladder.
Tucked into southwestern Detroit is a predominantly Spanish-speaking immigrant hub called Springwells Village. It’s not a wealthy area, with median income at $31,000. And the rents are relatively low, at $833 for a two-bedroom home.
But for low-income African American kids, it offers a better chance at upward mobility than most of the surrounding neighborhoods. Remarkably, black kids from poor families who grow up there are likely to have among the highest average household earnings as adults ($38,000), compared to other black children of similar economic backgrounds across the country.