Characteristics of 1950s Society: The Rise of Suburbia

By 1950, what did most people in the US own?

At least one automobile

What did the increase in car ownership cause?

People to leave cities and move to the suburbs since they had a means to travel longer distances

Who is considered the “father of suburbia”?

William Levitt

What did Levitt pioneer?

Mass produced, affordable, single-family homes built in “planned communities”

Where was Levitt’s first community located?

Long Island, New York

What was Levitt’s first community called?

“Levittown”

How much were homes in Levittown?

$8,000 ($97,000 in 2022 money) for a 1,450 sq. ft home

What is the rise of suburbia related to

The Affluent Society as supporters enjoyed the “sense of community” but criticizers said it’s conformative and the not widely accessible (only white-middle class lived in suburbia)