Minority Population
In EPA usage, a population whose share of a racial or ethnic minority group is meaningfully higher than that of the surrounding reference population.
Related terms
Low-Income Population Households whose income falls below a defined threshold (often a percentage of the federal poverty level), used as a vulnerability marker in environmental justice screening. Environmental Justice The principle that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to a healthy environment. EJScreen The EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool. It overlays environmental burdens (Superfund proximity, traffic, toxic discharges) with demographic vulnerabilities to identify disadvantaged communities. Sacrifice Zone A geographic area that has been permanently impaired or deemed expendable for the sake of broader economic growth or industrial production. These zones almost exclusively impact low-income or minority populations.