Living on Lakes Segregated Communities and Inequality in a Natural Amenity Destination

Scenic beauty and outdoor recreation are drivers of population and economic growth in places with environmental goods that attract people, such as mountains, beaches, rivers, and lakes (natural amenities). Using a case study of the Brainerd, Minnesota lakes area, this article draws on urban political economy theory to investigate place stratification and its role in spreading inequality in the context of natural amenity growth. The research demonstrates how amenity growth can segregate the area population by social class and age into distinct communities of people who share similar interests, and ultimately perpetuate disadvantage among lower-income people and younger adults.