Professor of Sociology, Director, Research Initiative on Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences
Brown University
John Logan uses contemporary and historical census data to study changes in residential patterns with a particular emphasis on immigrants and racial minorities. One set of studies is taking advantage of recently available 100% census microdata in the period 1880-1940, mapping people’s locations and examining patterns of neighborhood change and racial/ethnic and class segregation. Another set of studies works with the most recent census data. Logan is collaborating with others on research that has been given access to the confidential census files in Research Data Centers, including a unique file that makes it possible to link records for individuals over time. These data allow him to replicate his historical research in the current period.