Study: Wealth gap between white, black families growing

The wealth gap between black and white families practically tripled over a quarter-century, a new study found.

The Institute on Assets and Social Policy found that the difference in wealth between white and black families grew from $85,000 in 1984 to $236,500 in 2009. 

That gap, the institute found, was driven mostly by structural issues like education levels, how long a family owned a home, pre-existing wealth and unemployment. 

"Our analysis found little evidence to support common perceptions about what underlies the ability to build wealth, including the notion that personal attributes and behavioral choices are key pieces of the equation," the study from Thomas Shapiro, Tatjana Meschede and Sam Osoro found. 

The analysis from the institute, located at Brandeis University, said new mortgage and home ownership policies would help bridge the current wealth gap, as would a higher minimum wage. 

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