Is Dallas Becoming More Whole: Wholeness Index Summary Report

This report is an update to the 2006 analysis Is Dallas Whole? It maps out new data on opportunities and conditions in Dallas neighborhoods. Wholeness means that each person in a city enjoys an equally productive and satisfying life, regardless of where in the city he or she lives. In a whole city, residents of every part of town have an equal opportunity to achieve financial success, are equally self-sufficient, and are equally active in political and civic life.

The Wholeness Index takes a new approach, measuring whether the quality of life for people in various Dallas neighborhoods is converging (moving toward greater wholeness) or diverging (moving away from wholeness).

Why Does Wholeness Matter?

The Williams Institute and the Foundation for Community Empowerment believe that wholeness is the fundamental measure of a city’s (or a nation’s) success. Wholeness is a moral and political imperative, but data strongly suggest that it is also an economic imperative. That is, cities and regions with less disparity enjoy better