Death and taxes: Research links neighborhood race, tax delinquency and life expectancy

As is the case in many U.S. cities, majority Black neighborhoods in Pittsburgh have a lower average life expectancy than majority white neighborhoods. New research links this disparity to property tax delinquency.

The study shows that in the city’s poor, predominantly Black neighborhoods, where life expectancy is lower, property tax delinquency is higher compared with poor, predominantly white neighborhoods.

This association has its roots in America’s history of racism and segregation that have had long-lasting impacts on communities of color, the researchers explain.

Read summary of the study