Levittown: America's First Modern '50s Suburb

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Levittown, a planned community on Long Island, New York, was one of the first mass-produced suburban developments in the United States, welcoming an influx of families in the years following World War II. While the community expanded rapidly, it initially excluded non-white residents, reflecting the racial inequalities of the era's housing policies.

Why it matters

Levittown's development exemplified the broader suburban boom of the 1950s, as returning veterans and growing families sought new homes outside of urban centers. However, the community's exclusionary practices also highlight how this suburban expansion disproportionately benefited white Americans, leaving many minorities unable to access the same opportunities.

The details

Levittown was built in 1947 as a pre-planned, mass-produced suburban community, offering affordable homes to America's growing families. The community welcomed an influx of residents, but did not allow non-white prospects to purchase homes, reflecting the racial discrimination embedded in housing policies at the time. While the suburbs expanded by 47% during the 1950s, many minority groups were unable to access the same benefits from the GI Bill that enabled white families to move to these new communities.

• Levittown opened to residents on October 1, 1947.
• The suburbs expanded by 47% during the 1950s.