In the aftermath of World War II, America faced a severe housing shortage, and the Levittown house emerged as a symbol of accessible homeownership for many—but only if you were white. These homes, characterized by their boxy, small designs with two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, and lacking basements, were constructed rapidly in an assembly-line fashion. For countless families in the post-war era, they represented a perfect opportunity to own a home, addressing a critical need for shelter and stability.
The Birth of Levittown
Levittown, situated approximately 40 miles outside of New York City on Long Island, grew to encompass over 17,000 houses, marking it as the first wholly planned American suburb. Developer William Levitt utilized mass-production methods to build homes that were affordable for the middle class, though he was not the first to do so. However, his scale was unprecedented, as noted by Ed Berenson, a professor of history at New York University and author of “Perfect Communities: Levitt, Levittown and the Dream of White Suburbia.”
Initially, Levitt started with 2,000 homes, uncertain of the demand. Yet, the response was overwhelming, with about three times as many people signing up, driven by the eagerness of returning veterans to secure their own homes. The Federal Housing Authority played a crucial role by guaranteeing mortgages, facilitating this suburban expansion.
Racial Exclusion and Its Consequences
Despite its appeal, Levittown and similar suburbs developed by others were not open to all Americans. Federal backing of mortgages was explicitly aimed at white buyers in white communities, excluding Black buyers. Levitt himself refused to sell to Black families and included restrictive covenants in home sales, prohibiting owners from reselling to Black people.
This discriminatory practice has left a lasting legacy in the United States, where homeownership is often the largest financial asset for many Americans. Berenson explains, “What Levitt did by creating these exclusively white communities is he set up a structure that still exists today, and it’s a structure that has really maintained racial inequality, even more than class inequality.” He adds, “It’s not nearly as bad as it was, but it still exists.”
Enduring Impact on Inequality
The exclusionary policies of Levittown have contributed to persistent racial disparities in wealth and housing. By denying Black Americans access to affordable homeownership opportunities, these practices reinforced systemic inequalities that continue to affect communities today. The story of Levittown serves as a stark reminder of how post-war suburban dreams were built on foundations of racial segregation, shaping the socio-economic landscape for generations.
This article is part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” which marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, exploring pivotal moments and artifacts in American history that have influenced the nation's development and identity.
