Demographic Change near Rail Stations: 2000-2010

This study quantifies demographic changes near rail stations in the United States between 2000 and 2010. Using Census data, changes in 3,285 station areas in 31 transit systems are compared with changes at the regional level to understand how the presence of a rail station influences demographic change. Ultimately, this research finds that station areas do appear to be changing differently than their respective metropolitan areas, yet a wide array of variation exists among transit systems and among stations within the same system. While regional population increased an average of 10.6%, population in station areas increased by 15.1%. Dwelling units increased faster than population at both geographical scales. Regions witnessed a decline in the proportion of the population that is White and an increase in the proportions of the population that are African American and Hispanic. Station areas tended to resist these national demographic shifts. A case study analysis of station areas in Sacramento and Minneapolis-St. Paul indicates that the relationships between station siting, development policies, and demographic change are complex. Terminal stations and stations in the urban core experience changes that were less like regional trends. By investigating some of the characteristics of gentrification, this study provides insights for planners, policy makers, and advocates considering how a rail or Transit-Oriented Development project might impact their existing communities.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP025 Standing Committee on Public Transportation Planning and Development.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Morgan, Melanie
  • McDonald, Noreen
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2016-1-10 to 2016-1-14
• Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: TRB 95th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Communities; Demographics; Policy making; Railroad stations; Transit oriented development; Transportation planning
• Geographic Terms: Sacramento (California); Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota)
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01590918
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 16-5685
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 24 2016 5:07PM