Mapping Gentrification in Los Angeles County ZIP Codes: A 2014-2019 K-Means Cluster Analysis

Keywords: gentrification, displacement, Los Angeles County
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 45

Abstract

With gentrification being a topic of discourse in urban geography, this preliminary study focuses on gentrification, which is the displacement of lower-income people by middle- and upper-income people, in Los Angeles County. This preliminary quantitative study uses secondary data from the 2014 and 2019 American Community Survey to track the change in socioeconomic classes of the residents of Los Angeles County. The main research question this study seeks to answer is: Is Los Angeles County gentrifying? The research also addresses the following sub-question: Which Los Angeles County ZIP Codes experienced gentrification? This study used the multivariate statistical analysis of K-means clustering via a Principle-Components Analysis. Additionally, a spatial analysis was conducted by mapping the K-means ZIP Codes clusters to highlight the change in industry workers residing in southern Los Angeles County ZIP Codes. The study found that not only were some Los Angeles County ZIP Codes gentrifying, but there was some evidence of out migration in several ZIP Codes by residents of all socioeconomic demographics. To conclude, this study offers some suggestions for future gentrification research.