Population and housing in the special studies zones

ABSTRACT

The alquist-Priolo Special studies zones were defined to encompass areas in California containing active or potentially active earthquake fault traces. This paper analyzes the population and housing composition of these areas, comparing and contrasting special studies zones residents with the general population of California with respect to economic, ethnic, and demographic characteristics. Three major findings emerge first, the zone are racially, ethnically and economically diverse, second, the population in the zones is slightly wealthier and includes more white persons than California as a whole; and third, the housing is slightly newer and larger. It is argued that the findings have important implications for a geologically differentiated lendig policy (AU)