Patterns of local segregation: Do they matter for neighborhood crime?

• We measure local segregation by race–ethnicity and economic status.
• We examine the link of local segregation with neighborhood crime across 86 cities.
• White–Black local segregation is associated with lower violent and property crime.
• Low–high income local segregation is connected with higher neighborhood crime.

In this paper, we extend recent research on the spatial measurement of segregation and the spatial dynamics of urban crime by conceptualizing, measuring, and describing local segregation by race–ethnicity and economic status, and examining the linkages of these conditions with levels of neighborhood violent and property crime. The analyses are based on all 8895 census tracts within a sample of 86 large U.S. cities. We fit multilevel models of crime that incorporate measures of local segregation. The results reveal that, net of city-level and neighborhood characteristics, White–Black local segregation is associated with lower violent and property crime. In contrast, local segregation of low income from high income households is connected with higher crime, particularly neighborhood violence.