Research from Hess and Colleagues Shows Impact of Daily Shifts in Neighborhood Diversity
Posted: 1/9/2025 ()
Most research on neighborhood characteristics and crime analyzes changes over the course of years or even decades. Local social environments can shift daily, however, as residents and visitors move in and out for work, errands, recreation, or other reasons. In a recent study entitled “Within-Day Diversity Change, Neighborhood Social Cohesion, and Fear of Crime” published in Socius, CSDE Affiliate Chris Hess (Kennesaw State University) analyzed data from the Seattle Neighborhoods and Crime Survey and the Census Transportation Planning Products to explore how these daily shifts in neighborhood diversity influence people’s feelings of social connection and safety. In neighborhoods where diversity increases during the daytime, findings show that residents tend to feel a stronger sense of social cohesion and report less fear of crime. Read the full study here.