I’ve been discussing urban issues lately, and commenter Ross noted that, according to the Brookings Institute poverty is increasingly suburban, not rural or urban:
Judging from the report, the absolute per capita poverty is still greater in the cities, but both the rate of increase and the total amount is significantly greater in suburbia. Perhaps the cities have “maxed out” and adapted to their poverty carrying capacity, and the suburbs are now playing catch-up? Interesting implications.
The best graphics and tables are here.
In fact, I mentioned the same idea a couple years ago. Part of the problem is that suburbs don’t mature gracefully:
Sprawling, large-lot suburbs become less attractive as they become more densely built, but urban areas — especially those well served by public transit — become more appealing as they are filled in and built up. Crowded sidewalks tend to be safe and lively, and bigger crowds can support more shops, restaurants, art galleries.