ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Roanoke was the most-segregated city in Virginia, according to national study released Tuesday.
Using the U.S. Census Bureau's 1990 housing data, Reynolds Farley of the University of Michigan calculated what he called ``indexes of dissimilarity'' for communities that had at least 3 percent black population, or at least 20,000 blacks.
The index would be 100 where whites lived on all-white blocks and blacks lived on all-black blocks. Where there was no racial pattern, the index would be zero.
Roanoke had a rating of 72, down from 75 in 1980.
Richmond, with a 64, rated about average in the country, and it was the second most-segregated city in the state.
The city improved slightly in its integration efforts from 1980, the study showed.
Richmond City Manager Robert Bobb noted the improvement, citing the city's cultural activities and the high number of people moving to the city as factors in widespread integration.
He said much of the segregation that remains is voluntary. ``It's a matter of choice,'' he said. ``It would be a problem if the segregation were mandated rather than social or economic.''
Two Virginia cities ranked among the least-segregated metropolitan areas in the country.
Charlottesville and Danville were ranked 14th and 15th in the nation, each with a 45 rating.
It's not surprising, officials in the two cities said.
Gary O'Connell, city manager of Charlottesville, said the community ``prides itself on its diversity.''
``It's reflected in our housing and our schools,'' he said.
Minorities make up about 25 percent of Charlottesville's population of 40,000.
The presence of University of Virginia in the city is one reason for the city's diversity, O'Connell said. ``Being a university community has a lot to do with it,'' he said. ``It creates an openness and receptiveness to people. People make other people feel welcome.''
In Danville, City Manager Ray Griffin said the city has been ``very active with our fair housing board and with community development activity.''
Minorities make up about one-third of the city's 53,000 population, and Griffin said three of the nine members of the City Council are black.
``I think that's remarkable since we have at-large elections,'' he said. ``We're very proud we have diversified representation on the council, and I think it speaks well for the community.''
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB