Since the race riots in 1968 and 1969, the black and white income gap in York has remained unchanged. The median income of black households has decreased, and family poverty of black households has increased, making it even harder for black households to afford the rising costs of homeownership.

Rusk says that the “little box” structure of local government “impedes meaningful collaboration on key issues like anti-sprawl land use planning and zoning; ‘fair share’ affordable, mixed income housing; tax base and revenue sharing; economic development initiatives;” and other shared services.

York County Stakeholders establish a plan for the next 10 years which aims to increase the number of women and minority-owned businesses; close income gaps; support local art and recreation; decrease the number of ALICE households; expand access to broadband Internet; and attract employers that offer high-paying employment.