Evaluating The Housing Disparities Surrounding 1890 Land-Grant Universities And 1862 Land-Grant Universities In The South

Author

• Jimmy Henry, Prairie View A&M University

Date of Award

12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Discipline

Education Leadership

Abstract

This dissertation investigated the disparities in housing and economic development surrounding 1890 and 1862 land-grant universities in the southern United States, highlighting the differences between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) established by the 1890 Morrill Act, and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) established under the 1862 Morrill Act. These Morrill Acts established the first federal support for higher education in agriculture and mechanical arts, granting land and, in the case of 1862 institutions, financial resources:

This dissertation was guided by six research questions, applied by both the Hedonic Price Model and comparative analysis: (1) How do housing structure types differ between areas surrounding 1862 land-grant universities and those surrounding 1890 land-grant universities? (2) Are there variations in housing values between areas surrounding 1862 land-grant universities and those surrounding 1890 land-grant universities?

Are there differences in rental rates between areas surrounding 1862 land-grant universities and those surrounding 1890 land-grant universities? (4) Do 1890 land-grant universities provide more housing to students relative to their size when compared to 1862 universities? (5) What is the relationship between city retail sales relative to size generated in a community and a combination of number of single-family units, number of multi-family units, housing values, rental rates, and percentage housing provided by the institution? (6) Do communities surrounding 1890 land-grant universities have fewer businesses relative to their size when compared to 1862 universities?

The analysis revealed both disparities and consistencies between communities surrounding 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities. Housing structures showed no significant differences, reflecting the influence of regional planning and market dynamics. In contrast, housing values and rental rates were significantly higher near 1862 institutions, while lower values near 1890 universities reflected historic disinvestment and weaker demand. Notably, 1890 universities provided substantially more housing relative to enrollment, serving as critical anchors in less robust markets. Retail sales were primarily influenced by affordability and density, rather than institutional type, and business density exhibited no significant variation. Overall, the institutional type most strongly affected housing outcomes.

Keywords: land-grant universities, hedonic price model, housing market disparities among land-grant institutions, 1890 land-grant institutions, 1862 land-grant institutions

Committee Chair/Advisor

Douglas Hermond

Committee Member

Pamela Hoffman-Miller

Committee Member

Benga Ojumu

Committee Member

Pamela Barber-Freeman

Publisher

Prairie View A&M University

Rights

Date of Digitization

6/15/2026

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Henry, J. (2025). Evaluating The Housing Disparities Surrounding 1890 Land-Grant Universities And 1862 Land-Grant Universities In The South. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-dissertations/136