While paranoia may be a reason to live in the suburbs, it could also be because they want their own backyard or are priced out of major metros.

Or maybe just because they've always lived there - more and more folks are living near (or with) family these days.

I didn't say it was the majority in the suburbs. To clarify, I've lived in both urban and suburban areas. People in suburban areas seem to have a higher incidence of fear (like discussed in the article) than urban areas.

Which isn't the only reason to live in the suburbs, but it's a major reason for a rather significant number of people. I mean, a suburban town not far from me got started to get away from the blacks (the way the honest locals phrased it, not proudly), and that was just 50 years ago. Fear drives a lot of suburban movement.