Demographic Divergence and Local School Funding, 1990–2010

Kendra Bischoff , Cornell University
Alexandra Cooperstock, Cornell University

As the percentage of nonwhite children grows in the United States, so too does the percentage of elderly adults. This age-dependent racial/ethnic diversity, or “demographic divergence,” is causing some communities to be characterized by an increasing social difference between younger and older populations. In this paper, we investigate whether age-dependent racial/ethnic diversity affects support for a local public good that specifically targets youth—public schooling. We have compiled a longitudinal dataset that matches demographic characteristics of school districts to local education funding data from 1990-2010 for all U.S. school districts. The results of this study will shed light on a potentially important consequence of the changing demographic structure of the U.S. population.

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 Presented in Session 180. Neighborhood and School Diversity: Drivers and Outcomes