white flight

White flight refers to the historical trend where white families moved away from urban neighborhoods increasingly inhabited by minorities, especially during the mid-20th century. This migration was often motivated by factors such as racial integration, economic shifts, and suburban development. As whites relocated to suburbs, urban areas experienced demographic change, economic decline, and increased diversity. White flight contributed to urban decentralization, school and neighborhood segregation, and long-term socioeconomic disparities, shaping the racial and geographic landscape of many cities in the United States.