The population and steets of Atlantic City are overwhelmingly Black and brown. This means that residents of color live in neighborhoods with lower property values and poorer quality of life. Additionally, residents are subject to age and racial discrimination, which further isolates them and lowers their quality of life. Many longtime residents find themselves unable to afford the high-rise condominiums that are being built on lower-valued properties.
Although the area was once predominantly Black, the city now has a significant concentration of low-income housing units and abandoned lots. The map below represents the median household income for Atlantic City. The whitest part of the map represents the poorest areas of Atlantic City. It is easy to see that the poorer parts of the city are disproportionately represented by their colors. Those living in the area can find affordable housing in many other parts of the country.
While there are no solutions to racial and class segregation, communities of color in Atlantic City are able to demonstrate how to rebuild and rehabilitate their neighborhoods. In June, the U.S. Congress opened a hearing on a reparations bill, which would establish a commission to investigate options and address the debt owed to African Americans. Although this legislation is unlikely to become law, Atlantic City serves as a model for what can happen in communities of color.