While comparing the state in Ohio, one can highlight the five most segregated cities in accordance with the dissimilarity index (“Segregation: Dissimilarity indices,” n.d.). They are as follows:
- Garfield Heights city (80.7).
- Cleveland city (79.4).
- Dayton city (78.3).
- Hamilton city (68.7).
- Toledo city (67.0).
With regard to the five least segregated cities in Ohio, the situation differs significantly from the above rank (“Segregation: Dissimilarity indices,” n.d.). The statistics that include the dissimilarity index are as follows:
- Huber Heights city (18.6).
- Dublin city (18.8).
- Gahanna city (19.5).
- Beavercreek city (21.1).
- Strongsville city (23.8).
The visual examination of the map reveals that the dissimilarity index in Ohio is higher at the state border than at the center. This is probably due to the proximity of neighboring regions in which this parameter is even higher, particularly in the northeast of the country. In contrast to the western states, Ohio and the surrounding regions have historically been characterized by racial intolerance, which explains such a high dissimilarity index. As a result, the map confirms the established forms of social division based on the racial criterion.
The review of the analyzed data has surprised me greatly due to such a big distinction among the dissimilarity indices of cities within the same state. Ohio is not the largest state, but even there, the segregation parameters differ significantly. Moreover, I am amazed at this result from a geographical perspective. When examining the data of the states, one can notice that the main share of racial segregation occurs in the eastern part of the country, while in the west, the indicators are minimal or absent entirely in a number of states. This proves a critical difference in the social development of the regions and people’s distinctive views on the aspect of equality.
Reference
Segregation: Dissimilarity indices. (n.d.). Census Scope.