Why are there fewer low-income families living in U.S. cities nowadays?

Question

I just finished watching a movie that was based in one of Hong Kong's most densely populated districts and it struck me that there really aren't cities like that in the United States. Based on the little history I do know, it seems like New York City used to have a pretty large population of lower income families.I don't know if there are any good materials to read up on this, I honestly don't even know where to look. I'd just like to learn about what changed policy-wise, culture-wise, economically, etc.

simonblack · Accepted Answer

It's the 'dougnut' analogy of urban use.
Initially, everybody lives in the centre, then the gentry move outwards while the poor people stay in the centres. That 'gentrified' area gradually shifts outwards and the 'doughnut' expands as the older, inner less-desirable areas get taken up by the poor (and young couples with no money) while the richer 'gentry' move further out. As those younger families get richer and larger and more gentrified they move out to the 'currently-nicer' areas.
However, eventually, the gentry find that urban renewal means that the city centres become more desirable and gentrified and they move back to the city centre while forcing the poorer outwards again. And the 'doughnut' starts expanding outwards again.
If you want to see where edge of the 'doughnut' happens to be in your city, look for the areas where the older inhabitants, the 'little old ladies', are dying off and the houses are being bought up by young couples with prams. That'll also be the area where house-prices are suddenly rising.

hdlothia · Answer

Still plenty of lower income families in the Bronx and Yonkers. It's just about where rich ppl want to live. When it was the suburbs they were pushed into the inner city. Now ppl want to live in the inner city so poor ppl are getting pushed into suburbs and exurbs

treeface9000 · Answer

The answer is pretty simple... how can someone on a low income live in a city? When the cost of rent is more than you make in a month. It's just not possible. Take New York City -- the average rent in Manhattan is over $5000 a month. If you consider low income to be 50k/year. Rent alone would have you running a deficit of 10k/year.