Abstract

This paper focuses on micropolitan areas and how they are effected by spatial mismatch. The spatial mismatch hypothesis has been researched in large metropolitan areas. The results from these studies have shown that spatial mismatch is a significant factor in contributing to the unemployment rate in metropolitan areas. This study looks to measure and evaluate whether or not spatial mismatch is significant in explaining the unemployment rate in micropolitan areas. In order to test this hypothesis, a simple regression was run, using different variables, in order to evaluate what variables were significant in explaining the unemployment rate in a micropolitan area. Wooster, OH was the micropolitan area from which the data was gathered. This study found that distance was not a significant factor in explaining the unemployment rate for certain areas in Wooster. Variables such as the percentage of black individuals and educational attainment were proven to be more significant in explaining the unemployment rate in Wooster, OH. The results from this study do not disprove the overall hypothesis, but suggest that spatial mismatch does not effect Wooster. This study provides an example of a micropolitan area where spatial mismatch has no effect on the unemployment rate. This study also supports the claims of previous studies that race and educational attainment may be more significant in explaining the unemployment rate in micropolitan areas.

Advisor

Fitz Gibbon, Heather

Department

Urban Studies

Disciplines

Urban Studies and Planning

Keywords

Micropolitan

Publication Date

2019

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2019 Cyrus Boardman