Neighborhood social structure in Sweden: A latent transition analysis using registry data from 1991 to 2020

Background: Neighborhoods shape daily life through physical and social structures, such as socioeconomic conditions, population density, and resident turnover. Decades of research link neighborhood characteristics to health and behavioral outcomes. However, these factors are often studied independently, neglecting their interrelated nature. Methods: Using Swedish population registry data, we employed latent class analyses to identify neighborhood typologies across six timepoints spanning 1991–2020. Neighborhoods, defined by Demographic Statistical Areas, were characterized by socioeconomic conditions, ethnic heterogeneity, residential instability, and urbanicity. Latent transition analyses examined changes over time. Results: Four neighborhood types emerged in the early period (1991–2000): Rural Low-Diversity (45%), Urban Professional (27%), Urban Affluent (21%), and Resource-Limited (7%). From 2001 onwards, five types were identified, with the addition of Urban High-Diversity (9%) and Rural Resource-Limited (3%). Three types, Rural Low-Diversity, Urban Professional, and Urban Affluent, persisted across 30 years, representing 87–93% of neighborhoods, with over 90% of neighborhoods retaining their classification over time. Conclusions: This multidimensional framework offers a foundation for future research, urban planning, and policy development.