The first suburbs developed along train and trolley lines. Now people could live outside of the city in places that were quieter and cleaner and still travel into the city to work. The invention of the car and the development of highways sped up the growth of suburbs.

The growth of suburbs resulted from several historical forces, including the social legacy of the Depression, mass demobilization after the War (and the consequent “baby boom”), greater government involvement in housing and development, the mass marketing of the automobile, and a dramatic change in demographics.

One of the top reasons why people are moving to the suburbs is to have more space – both indoor and outdoor. In addition, having a yard with outdoor space is a huge benefit to moving to the suburbs. If you have kids, then you know just how valuable outdoor space can be – especially in the age of social distancing.

The process of suburbanization drove the movement of Americans and turned the wheels of the new consumer economy. For advantaged buyers, loans had never been easier to attain, consumer goods had never been more accessible, and well-paying jobs had never been more abundant.

When Levittown was complete, Bill Levitt had created what many considered the new American dream. This setup allowed people to escape the cramped conditions of the city and experience the novelty of suburban homeownership.

Levittown quickly filled up with young white families. Minority residents trickled in during the 1950’s, but the pattern was set. Today Levittown has changed, but only a little. While the community has more minority residents than ever, it remains overwhelmingly white — 97.37 percent in the 1990 census.

Available only to World War II veterans and their families–and only white veterans at that–the first Levittown house cost $6,990 with nearly no money down. Levitt built 17,447 houses in the next four years.

The Myers family remained in Levittown for four years after these protests took place, only relocating because William took a job in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, THR reported. However, their decision to move to – and remain in – Levittown in the face of threats and intimidation had long-lasting impacts.

William Myers died at his home in York in 1987, at age 65. In 2005, Myers published the autobiography Sticks’N Stones: The Myers Family In Levittown. Daisy Myers died on 5 December 2011 in York, at age 86. The 2017 film Suburbicon, starring Matt Damon and directed by George Clooney, was inspired by the couple.

While Levittown is still predominantly white, it is becoming more diverse, data show. By 2017, census estimates put Levittown’s population at 75 percent white, 14.6 percent Hispanic, 7 percent Asian and 1 percent black.

1957