Minority homeowners in metro Atlanta are particularly vulnerable to certain major climate risks, a Zillow analysis finds.
Why it matters: The findings reflect history and a legacy of redlining and economic disparities that still shape where people live — and how they’re affected by climate change.
Zoom in: In metro Atlanta, virtually everyone is at risk from extreme heat, though Black homeowners have the highest risk, Zillow found.
- Black homeowners are also disproportionately at risk of wind damage from hurricanes, tornadoes or other severe storms.
Zoom out: Nationally, 81% of Black homeowners, 77% of Hispanic homeowners and 65% of Asian homeowners are at risk of extreme heat, compared to 52% of white homeowners.
- Meanwhile, 60% of Black homeowners, 43% of Hispanic homeowners and 33% of Asian homeowners are vulnerable to extreme wind, compared to 32% of white homeowners.
The intrigue: Stormwater flooding is projected to increase as metro Atlanta experiences more severe storms. But a much smaller share of homeowners, across racial and ethnic lines, are at major risk of flooding, Zillow found…