Three Michigan cities are ranked among the most segregated in the country, according to a University professor's findings.
Using the 1990 census, sociology Prof. Reynolds Farley found that Detroit, Flint and Saginaw are three of the most segregated cities in the nation. Detroit ranks second behind Gary, Ind.
Farley said he's not optimistic about the short-term chance of desegregating Detroit.
"Desegregation will occur very slowly in Detroit because of the past racial animosity," Farley said. "I do not see rapid change in Detroit."
Farley began the survey in 1991, using the 1990 census for population figures. He rated cities on a scale from one to 100, according to their patterns of racial composition. Detroit received an 89, while Gary received a 91 rating.
"We looked at 232 metropolitan areas with substantial black populations in 1990," Farley said.
Ann Arbor received a 55 rating in the survey, placing it near the middle group of segregated cities.
Anthony Neely, spokesperson for Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, said there is no reason to be overly concerned with the ranking.
"Mayor Archer does not see the racial composition of Detroit as a problem," he said.
Neely said Detroit is doing many things to desegregate the community. He pointed to economic and residential development intended to diversify the city as an example. Detroit has completed or is in the process of completing 25 residential projects worth approximately $210 million, Neely said. Since 1994, Detroit has announced more than $4 billion in projects to help the city's economy.
These investments, Neely said, should help desegregate Detroit. "The mayor is trying to make Detroit attractive to all races," Neely said. "The outlook for Detroit is very positive."
Others also said they've seen some improvement in desegregating Detroit.
"I see it changing," said Nikia Grimes, a Kinesiology first-year student. "When I went to visit my high school, I noticed there were a lot more white students."
Farley, however, said Detroit won't change quickly for a variety of reasons. He said segregation remains when there are slow rates of population increase and residential development, along with past racial strife and animosity - all factors that he said affect Detroit.
The survey also found Flint and Saginaw to be two of the nation's worst offenders in their racial composition. Both cities received an 84 rating, tying them for fourth in the nation.
"We have been working on race relations for several years," said Bill Bailey, director of communications for Saginaw. "There has been a pro-active effort at opening the dialogue (between races)."
Bailey points to new housing projects and the new Bridge Center for Racial Harmony as ways Saginaw has worked to desegregate.
"We've made great gains," Bailey said.