# Disparate Impact Analysis - How is it done?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disparate-impact-analysis-how-is-it-done/819479>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 12, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disparate-impact-analysis-how-is-it-done/819479 "2018-08-12T16:54:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disparate-impact-analysis-how-is-it-done/819479/1 "2018-08-12T16:54:34Z")

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I’m reading these [guidelines by the DOJ here](https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/T6Manual7#I), specifically _section C. 1. c. iii.Relevant comparator population_.

I’m having trouble understanding how the comparison populations are determined both by matter of rules as stated here or in other places, and as a matter of application in court cases.

A hypothetical to illustrate: A city wants to disallow a group of people to live in certain zoned areas of the city through their land use powers. A member of the group alleges discrimination by way of disparate impact. What groups are compared to what groups? Is there a mix of population demographics in each of the comparison groups that would yield an affirmative or negative finding of disparate impact?