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Neighborhood socioeconomic effects on health have been estimated using multiple variables and indices. This inconsistent estimation approach makes comparison across geographic areas challenging. In this paper, we developed indices representing specific socioeconomic domains that can be reproduced in other areas to estimate elements of the neighborhood socioeconomic environment on health outcomes, specifically preterm birth. Using year 2000 U.S. census data and principal components analysis, socioeconomic indices were developed representing a priori – defined domains of education, employment, housing, occupation, poverty and residential stability. These socioeconomic indices were subsequently used in race-stratified multilevel logistic regression models of preterm birth in eight socioeconomically distinct study areas in the U.S. Maternal residence was obtained from birth records and was …