Korean Americans in Los Angeles: Decentralized Concentration and Socio‐spatial Disparity1. Issue 3 (27th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Madhuri; Koh, Donghee
• Is Part Of: Geographical review. Volume 109:Issue 3(2019:Jul.)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 381
• Publication Date: 2019-05-27
• Subjects: correspondence and typology analyses -- decentralized concentration -- Getis and Ord G* local statistic -- Koreangelos -- Los Angeles; Geography -- Periodicals; 910
• DOI: 10.1111/gere.12358
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7428

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyses the socioeconomic and demographic make‐up of Koreans in Los Angeles metropolis, the largest hub of Koreans in the United States, to better understand the decentralized concentration of Koreans by addressing their within‐ and among‐group variations. By employing the rarely used measures of correspondence and typology analyses, we delineate the boundaries for Korean clusters using Getis and Ord G* local statistic, wherein each cluster's neighborhood and demographic characteristics are compared to gain nuanced insights of within‐group variations, and its evolution during 1970–2010. Cluster level analysis of Koreatown suggests that even though it was classified as a Korean cluster, Korean Americans were unevenly distributed across these clusters, with underrepresentation in white‐dominant neighborhoods, whereas much of their intraurban spaces were shared with Hispanics. All clusters except extended Koreatown exhibited Li's ethnoburb ‐style spatial patterns. The Koreatown and suburban clusters were also distinct in terms of their demographic/ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, age/life cycle, and housing characteristics, suggesting socio‐spatial polarization. Our analysis, challenges the commonly perceived notion of Koreans being a homogenous group and Asians being model minorities. We illustrate significant within‐group differences among the Koreangelos . We, thus, propose innovative measures to analyze population groups to flesh out rich narratives of America's fast changing social geographies.