This document analyzes whether low-income counties are more likely than higher-income counties to host fracking sites if located above shale gas formations. The author finds counties' median income levels do not correlate with the presence of fracking wells in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Possible reasons are that fracking occurs on large, open plots of land regardless of the county's income level. The author suggests future studies examine economic effects within counties before and after installing fracking wells.

1. By Makani Nakasone

4.  Are low income counties more prone to
become fracking locations if they are located
above a shale formation containing natural
gas, above all other income level counties?

5.  Unit ofAnalysis: Counties
 Counties in the USA – US Census Bureau
 Fracking locations of: (Frac Focus)
 Texas
 Colorado
 Oklahoma
 Pennsylvania
 Variables
 Median Income per county
 FrackingWell Locations

18.  Does not match with hypothesis!
 Possible instances why this would be:
▪ Fracking usually occurs on large areas of open/available
land (e.g. ranches, farms).
 For Future Study:
 Study the effects of fracking wells within counties
by looking at economies before and after.