Gentrification in the Twin Cities: Resident Perspectives on Changing Neighborhoods

Background and Purpose

Gentrification occurs when low-income neighborhoods that have previously experienced disinvestment, demonstrate demographic change, increased investment, and residential, cultural and social displacement of historic communities.  Five cluster neighborhoods in the Twin Cities were chosen for this exploratory qualitative study based on a quantitative analysis that overlaid gentrification indexes on the census tracts of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The purposes of the study are threefold: 1) Assess whether or not quantitative indices of gentrification match resident perception, 2) Explore a deeper analysis of how residents are defining, experiencing, and identifying the slow processes of a gentrifying neighborhood and 3) Aid policymakers in the process of limiting the negative effects of gentrification on vulnerable citizens.  

Methods

This study was conducted using a sequential mixed-methods design. A total of 50 residents (10 per neighborhood) were sampled through a purposive and snowball sampling frame. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in each neighborhood with long-term residents (10+ years), business owners, renters and homeowners in each neighborhood. Type of resident, racial, age and gender were all purposefully sampled for equal groups. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using ethnographic constant comparison and discourse analysis both within and between cluster neighborhood interviews. NVivo was also used for data analytic purposes to identify the frequency of codes as well as to explore demographic correlations. 

Results

Findings demonstrate that residents in the five cluster neighborhoods experiences match the quantitative indices of the initial analysis.  The significant common themes across groups were: 1) rapidly increasing rents and home values, 2) changes in demographics by race, income and age, and 3) new commercial businesses development. 

Each cluster neighborhood demonstrated unique characteristics.  North Minneapolis was themed “The Ownership Society.”  Residents experienced a gap in “sense of ownership” and identified historic designation as a tool of gentrification.  Northeast Minneapolis felt like “the Secret is Out.”  This community was “that last quiet gem… that hadn’t been gentrified.”  There is a growing culture of drinking with the rise of breweries in the area.  South Minneapolis reported “Business as Usual” with concentrated business development that aims to serve a population that does not yet live there. Hamline-Midway in Saint Paul was themed “On the Cusp of ‘Greatness.’” There is an uptick in crime conversation and residents feel it coming. Finally, Frogtown, the “Strong will Survive,” has experienced new transit oriented development with a light rail, but the business owners have suffered through long periods of construction.

Conclusions and Implications

Residents in the Twin Cities are experiencing signs of gentrification. While the economic drivers and outputs of gentrification may be similar across neighborhoods, the manifestation of gentrification differs. This is noteworthy for gentrification projects in similar urban centers with neighborhoods that have different histories of disinvestment that inform contemporary experiences. Additionally, to support historic residents in maintaining residence in neighborhoods vulnerable to the negative effects of gentrification, there is urgency for the development and enforcement of equitable and inclusive growth policies so that these residents do not experience a repeated history of displacement.