Chicano Geographic Segregation: A Human Ecological Approach

While a considerable amount of research has examined the residential segregation patterns of ethnic groups in metropolitan communities, such research has failed to analyze the distribution patterns of such groups across the larger society. From a human ecological perspective, we examine the geographic segregation patterns of Chicanos vis-à-vis Anglos across counties in the 50 United States using data from the 1980 census. It is hypothesized that the level of Chicano geographic segregation in the states is positively related to Chicano–Anglo sustenance differences and Chicano relative dependence on the extractive and manufacturing sectors compared to Anglos and negatively related to Chicano sustenance differentiation. The findings show general support for the hypotheses. Chicanos tend to be more segregated from Anglos in those states where the two groups are involved in different sustenance activities. In addition, Chicanos tend to be the most segregated in those states where they have a higher dependence on the manufacturing sector compared to Anglos.