Abstract
This thesis investigates gentrification in Austin by identifying the major factors
that have affected how the city has gentrified. Utilizing the Neighborhood Change
Database, this thesis employs principal components analysis to identify intercorrelated
components that affected census tract change over time. Utilizing those results, this
thesis constructs a Gentrification Stage Index at the census tract level to identify areas
of Austin as they gentrify from 1970 to 2000. According to the results, Austin has been
gentrified primarily by an affluent, white population that is not associated with high
levels of homeownership. A stable black community emerged between 1970 and 2000,
indicating that other forces have reshaped Austin's urban landscape.
