Cumulative Spatial Disadvantage and Human-Social Capital: A Study of Income and Poverty in the Greater Delta Region

Understanding space and how space impacts uneven development is crucial when examining inequalities within sociology. Uneven development perpetuates the segregation of space, highlighting disparities in power and inequalities... [ view full abstract ]

Understanding space and how space impacts uneven development is crucial when examining inequalities within sociology. Uneven development perpetuates the segregation of space, highlighting disparities in power and inequalities that are rooted in spatial design and relations.  Characteristics like geographic location and history have long-term influences on development, yet are not able to be easily changed within a community.  Historical events have helped shape the successes and failures of communities, creating a “path dependence” that goes beyond any one individual’s control.  There are, however, locally-modifiable characteristics of space, such as human and social capital.  These community capitals can be recognized, and then cultivated to increase a community’s agency, even in the face of cumulative disadvantage.  This study takes a spatially-oriented approach to sociology to evaluate household income and family poverty when accounting for geographical, historical, and locally-modifiable characteristics.  By analyzing publicly available secondary data using OLS linear regression, I identify patterns regarding income and poverty as they relate to cumulative spatial disadvantage and locally-modifiable community capitals (human and social capitals) at the county level in the multi-state Delta region.  By identifying locally-modifiable characteristics and their relationships to spatial disadvantages, I hope to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to inform efforts to achieve better quality of life in their communities.