Class does factor into segregation, working as an underlying factor of ethnic
groupings. Complete segregation is more prevalent in working class areas,
such as West Belfast, than the middle and upper class suburban areas. Statistically,
40% of the population lives in what Doherty (1990) refers to as the "Protestant
City" of East Belfast and 10% in the west's "Catholic City,"
both being the most highly concentrated centers of segregated groups. The
Catholic City includes some of the worst parts-high population density,
low ownership of cars and houses, low quality housing-of the urban area
and has very high levels of unemployment. In contrast, 25% of the population
lives in the upper middle class areas, those with a mixed population and
large Protestant majority. It is interesting to note that middle-class
Catholics tend to live in mixed areas, not the Catholic City.
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