The lasting impact of historical residential security maps on experienced segregation

Abstract We study the impact of 1930s Residential Security maps on experienced segregation as measured by geolocation data. We compare adjacent neighborhoods with different creditworthiness grades. Using a sample of neighborhood boundaries, which, based on estimated propensity scores, were likely drawn for idiosyncratic reasons, residents of neighborhoods on the lower graded side of the boundary are more likely to visit other historically lower graded destination neighborhoods and neighborhoods that currently tend to have lower household income and lower educational attainment. Disparities in visits are not driven by work commutes, very local visits, or differences in income.