Does Job Accessibility Matter in the Suburbs? Black Suburbia, Job Accessibility, and Employment Outcomes

The spatial mismatch hypothesis of John Kain proposes that geographic separation between residential locations and jobs creates a barrier in accessing job opportunities, which has negative impact on labor market outcomes. A key is Black populations have limited accessibility to suburban opportunities due segregation the city, resulting lower employment earnings. However, structure U.S. metropolitan area changed since then, with increased polycentric growth suburbanization. This challenges Kain’s original city jobs. pattern demonstrates suburbs Then, what role does play change mismatch? Does continue matter suburbs? Or, are there other more important neighborhood characteristics affecting outcomes? findings demonstrate remains closely associated In Chicago, higher marginal effects employment, especially predominantly neighborhoods. Atlanta, where majority population lives suburbs, having percentage residents negates accessibility. Instead, share becomes significant factor employment. effect varies by mismatch. Job less highly segregated but matters areas traditional pattern, significantly earnings, neighborhoods city.