Impervious surface and race in Los Angeles County, 2019

This dataset was used to analyze differences in impervious surface levels by race while also accounting for other sociodemographic factors and land use in Los Angeles County. Data was downloaded from the websites of the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, and Southern California Association of Governments. Due to redlining and disinvestment in neighborhoods of color, there are generally fewer green spaces and greater urban heat island effects in neighborhoods of color throughout the U.S., as documented in the environmental justice literature. Replacing impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt with green stormwater infrastructure can help increase green space and reduce urban heat while also meeting local stormwater goals. This research supports existing findings and ties it to the local stormwater context in Los Angeles County. Based on the results of this research, local decision-makers should consider racial demographics when prioritizing where to remove impervious surface and replacing with green stormwater infrastructure.