Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis Revisited

This research tests whether changing urban structure has affected low-income job seekers' labor market outcomes differentially by impacting their job accessibility. Expanding the demographic, geographic, and temporal scopes of the Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis, I studied low-income job seekers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 1990 and 2000 and found that spatial mismatch still exists: low-income job seekers have lower job accessibility than the affluent majority, and they are more disadvantaged in 2000 than in 1990. However, mismatch is not only an issue in the inner cities, but also in parts of the suburbs, particularly in the inner-ring suburbs. Moreover, job accessibility affects low-income job seekers' labor force participation rates, employment rates, and commute time. The impacts are particularly significant in places with high accessibility and/or with concentrations of disadvantaged groups. This research is important for understanding the mechanism and consequences of spatial transformation, and for facilitating planning and decision-making that address issues such as equity in transportation investments, jobs-housing balance, and affordable housing provision.