Neighborhood Effect

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

The influence that the characteristics of a neighborhood—such as its poverty rate, social networks, school quality, and crime levels—exert on the life outcomes of its residents, independent of individual-level factors. Research shows that growing up in high-poverty neighborhoods can significantly reduce intergenerational mobility.

Examples

• The study isolated the neighborhood effect on children's educational attainment.
• Policy interventions designed to counter the neighborhood effect include housing vouchers and community investment.