Redlining in a map of Chicago A Home Owners' Loan Corporation map of Chicago from 1940 illustrating in red the districts that were mostly populated by Black residents and other non-European racial, ethnic, or cultural groups and were considered risky for loans. Redlining contributed significantly to the phenomenon of white flight. (more) white flight United States history Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/white-flight Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Adam Volle Adam Volle is a freelance writer and editor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam Volle Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 8, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is white flight? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "White flight refers to the departure of white residents from neighborhoods in response to the arrival of non-European racial, ethnic, or cultural groups. It is associated with the migration of white people from urban to suburban environments during the mid-20th century." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did redlining contribute to white flight? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which mortgage lenders deny loans or insurance providers restrict services to certain areas based on racial characteristics. This practice contributed to neighborhood segregation and supported the phenomenon of white flight." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What role did blockbusting play in neighborhood segregation? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Blockbusting involved real estate speculators buying houses in neighborhoods of predominantly white residents and selling them to Black families, causing white neighbors to panic and sell their homes quickly, often at a loss. This practice changed the racial composition of neighborhoods rapidly." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did the Fair Housing Act of 1968 address housing discrimination? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Fair Housing Act of 1968 aimed to combat housing discrimination by making practices such as redlining illegal. However, racial segregation in housing persists, with non-white homebuyers often facing discrimination." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is gentrification and how does it relate to white flight? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Gentrification is the process whereby affluent individuals and businesses develop impoverished neighborhoods, often displacing existing residents who are predominantly from racial and ethnic minorities. It is a reversal of white flight." } } ] } Top Questions What is white flight? White flight refers to the departure of white residents from neighborhoods in response to the arrival of non-European racial, ethnic, or cultural groups. It is associated with the migration of white people from urban to suburban environments during the mid-20th century.

　　How did redlining contribute to white flight? Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which mortgage lenders deny loans or insurance providers restrict services to certain areas based on racial characteristics. This practice contributed to neighborhood segregation and supported the phenomenon of white flight.

　　What role did blockbusting play in neighborhood segregation? Blockbusting involved real estate speculators buying houses in neighborhoods of predominantly white residents and selling them to Black families, causing white neighbors to panic and sell their homes quickly, often at a loss. This practice changed the racial composition of neighborhoods rapidly.

　　How did the Fair Housing Act of 1968 address housing discrimination? The Fair Housing Act of 1968 aimed to combat housing discrimination by making practices such as redlining illegal. However, racial segregation in housing persists, with non-white homebuyers often facing discrimination.

　　What is gentrification and how does it relate to white flight? Gentrification is the process whereby affluent individuals and businesses develop impoverished neighborhoods, often displacing existing residents who are predominantly from racial and ethnic minorities. It is a reversal of white flight.

　　white flight, departure of white residents from neighborhoods in response to the arrival of non-European racial, ethnic, or cultural groups. The term white flight was originally coined to describe the exodus of white households from school districts in the United States that began admitting Black students but is now most closely associated with the mass migration of white people in the United States from urban to suburban environments during the mid-20th century. White flight is identifiable as a form of racial segregation, and it was maintained in part by redlining. Despite attempts at desegregation, such as busing, the phenomenon of ...(100 of 1571 words)

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