Access to Grocery Stores in Dallas

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 22-37, 2008

16 Pages Posted: 16 Sep 2010 Last revised: 8 Oct 2010

See all articles by Nathan Berg

Nathan Berg

University of Otago, Department of Economics

James Murdoch

University of Texas at Dallas - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents geo-spatial information concerning access to grocery stores in Dallas County, Texas. A map shows the spatial distribution of neighbourhoods classified according to the number of grocery stores within a one-mile radius. Neighbourhood-level data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and US Census reveal distinct demographic characteristics in areas with many versus few grocery stores. No-grocery-store neighbourhoods are predominantly low-income and concentrated in southern Dallas, and African-American neighbourhoods have significantly fewer grocery stores. Disparities in access to nutritious food suggest the possibility of a breakdown in food security, afflicting as many as 400 000 low-income residents. The demographic correlates of grocery store access are analysed in light of economic and behavioural theories of consumer decisions about what to eat and firms’ choices of where to locate stores.

Keywords: food security, grocery stores, neighbourhoods, imitation

JEL Classification: D03

Suggested Citation

Berg, Nathan and Murdoch, James, Access to Grocery Stores in Dallas (2008). International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 22-37, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1676988

Nathan Berg (Contact Author)

University of Otago, Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 56
Dunedin, Otago 9016
New Zealand

James Murdoch

University of Texas at Dallas - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences ( email )

P.O. Box 830688, GR 31
Richardson, TX 75083
United States

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