Amidst a 41-million-strong and growing community, the story of African Americans in the United States today is one of remarkable resilience and persistent inequality, as revealed by a complex tapestry of recent statistics on education, health, wealth, and justice.
Key Takeaways
- As of the 2020 Census, 41,104,200 people identified as Black or African American alone, representing 12.4% of the total U.S. population.
- In 2021, the median age of Black or African American individuals was 35.7 years, compared to 38.8 years for the non-Hispanic White population.
- Black or African American households had a poverty rate of 19.5% in 2021, significantly higher than the 8.1% for non-Hispanic White households.
- In 2019, 24.8% of Black or African American adults had a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 17.7% in 2010.
- High school completion rate for Black adults aged 25+ was 89.8% in 2021.
- In 2020-2021, 38% of Black undergraduate students attended public four-year institutions.
- Obesity prevalence among Black adults was 49.9% in 2017-2020.
- Diabetes prevalence for Black adults was 12.1% in 2019.
- Maternal mortality rate for Black women was 55.3 per 100,000 live births in 2021.
- In 2022, unemployment rate for Black workers was 5.8%, compared to 3.2% for White workers.
- Median weekly earnings for full-time Black workers was $878 in Q4 2022.
- Black labor force participation rate was 62.7% in 2022.
- Incarceration rate for Black males was 1,408 per 100,000 in 2020.
- Black Americans made up 33% of the prison population in 2021, despite being 13% of the population.
- Black drivers were stopped by police at 1.5 times the rate of White drivers in 2020.
Black Americans face systemic disparities in health, wealth, and criminal justice despite notable educational gains.
Demographics
- As of the 2020 Census, 41,104,200 people identified as Black or African American alone, representing 12.4% of the total U.S. population.
- In 2021, the median age of Black or African American individuals was 35.7 years, compared to 38.8 years for the non-Hispanic White population.
- Black or African American households had a poverty rate of 19.5% in 2021, significantly higher than the 8.1% for non-Hispanic White households.
- In 2020, 55% of Black or African American children under 18 lived in single-parent households, compared to 20% of White children.
- Foreign-born Black or African American population grew by 68% from 2000 to 2020, reaching 4.6 million.
- In urban areas, 53.3% of Black or African American residents lived in the South as of 2020.
- Black or African American women accounted for 52.5% of the Black population in 2021.
- Life expectancy at birth for Black males was 68.8 years in 2021, versus 74.8 for White males.
- As of 2020 Census, 46.8 million people identified as Black alone or in combination.
- Black or African American population in the South was 56.3% in 2020.
- Single-mother households among Black families: 64% in 2021.
- Black immigrants numbered 4.6 million in 2019.
- Urban Black population was 89% in 2020.
- Black seniors (65+) numbered 4.7 million in 2021.
- Fertility rate for Black women was 1.78 births per woman in 2021.
- Black veterans comprised 16% of all veterans in 2020.
- Multiracial Black population grew 276% from 2000-2020.
- Black-owned homes median value was $165,000 in 2021.
- Black population in Texas: 12.9% in 2020.
- Black men median age: 33.9 years in 2021.
- Black households with children under 18: 29% in poverty, 2021.
Demographics Interpretation
The statistics paint a portrait of a vibrant and growing community whose very youth and dynamism stand in sharp, sobering contrast to systemic barriers that stubbornly persist in wealth, health, and family structure.
Economy
- In 2022, unemployment rate for Black workers was 5.8%, compared to 3.2% for White workers.
- Median weekly earnings for full-time Black workers was $878 in Q4 2022.
- Black labor force participation rate was 62.7% in 2022.
- Homeownership rate for Black households was 44.1% in 2021.
- Black-owned employer firms numbered 124,400 in 2017.
- Median household income for Black households was $48,297 in 2021.
- Black workers comprised 12.9% of the labor force in 2022.
- Poverty rate for Black families was 17.1% in 2021.
- Black men earned 73 cents for every dollar earned by White men in 2021.
- 8.7% of Black workers were self-employed in 2022.
- Black households had a median wealth of $24,100 in 2019.
- Unemployment rate for Black youth (16-19) was 16.6% in 2022.
- Black women held 7.4% of managerial positions in 2021.
- Student debt for Black graduates averaged $53,000 in 2022.
- Black-owned businesses grew 34% from 2012-2017.
- Black labor force in healthcare: 18% in 2022.
- Black median net worth: $44,900 for households in 2019.
- Black entrepreneurship rate: 9.3% of adults in 2021.
- Wage gap: Black women earn 64 cents to White male dollar.
- Black unemployment duration: 7.5 months average in 2022.
- Black share in tech jobs: 7.4% in 2021.
- Foreclosure rate for Black homeowners: 8.1% in 2021.
- Black savings rate: 6.5% of income in 2020.
- Gig economy workers who are Black: 15% in 2022.
- Black credit score average: 677 in 2021.
- Union membership among Black workers: 14.2% in 2022.
- Black CEOs in Fortune 500: 1.6% in 2022.
- Remittances sent by Black immigrants: $1.2 billion annually.
Economy Interpretation
The data paints a stark portrait: while Black resilience is clear in rising entrepreneurship and a strong labor force presence, the chronic gaps in pay, wealth, and opportunity show that for many, the economic race is still being run with a heavy weight tied to one ankle.
Education
- In 2019, 24.8% of Black or African American adults had a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 17.7% in 2010.
- High school completion rate for Black adults aged 25+ was 89.8% in 2021.
- In 2020-2021, 38% of Black undergraduate students attended public four-year institutions.
- Black students represented 14% of public school enrollment in fall 2020.
- The adjusted cohort graduation rate for Black public high school students was 81% in 2019-20.
- In 2021, Black students were 15% of postsecondary enrollment but only 9% of degree completers.
- Average SAT score for Black test-takers was 933 in 2021.
- Black students faced a 33% higher suspension rate than White students in 2017-18.
- In 2020, 62% of Black 9th graders were proficient or above in reading, per NAEP.
- Black enrollment in HBCUs was 84% in 2019-20.
- Student loan default rate for Black borrowers was 50% within 12 years in 2019.
- In 2021, 26% of Black adults aged 25-34 had an associate's degree or higher.
- Black students comprised 13.4% of AP exam takers in 2021.
- In 2019, Black teachers made up 7% of public school staff.
- NAEP math proficiency for Black 4th graders was 19% in 2022.
- Black college enrollment dropped 12% from 2010 to 2021.
- 45% of Black students attended high-poverty schools in 2019.
- In 2020, Black women earned 10% of doctoral degrees awarded.
- Black or African American enrollment in college reached 2.5 million in 2021.
- Black students' NAEP reading score average: 251 for grade 8 in 2022.
- 20% of Black public school students attended charter schools in 2019.
- Black male college graduation rate: 26% within 6 years.
- Pell Grant recipients who are Black: 27% in 2020-21.
- Black faculty in higher ed: 7% in 2021.
- Dropout rate for Black students: 5.2% in 2020.
- Black STEM degree earners: 9% of total in 2020.
- Average ACT score for Black students: 17.0 in 2022.
- Black students in gifted programs: 6% in 2019.
- Chronic absenteeism for Black students: 28% in 2019.
- Black enrollment in community colleges: 14% in 2021.
- Title I schools Black student share: 25% in 2020.
- Black high school seniors college-ready in math: 13% in 2021.
- HBCU funding averaged $78 million per institution in 2021.
Education Interpretation
Despite impressive gains in high school completion and college enrollment, the statistics collectively paint a picture of resilient progress navigating a system still riddled with disproportionate barriers, from underfunded schools and higher suspension rates to crushing student debt and a persistent degree-completion gap.
Health
- Obesity prevalence among Black adults was 49.9% in 2017-2020.
- Diabetes prevalence for Black adults was 12.1% in 2019.
- Maternal mortality rate for Black women was 55.3 per 100,000 live births in 2021.
- Hypertension prevalence in Black adults was 56.8% in 2017-2020.
- Cancer mortality rate for Black males was 189.6 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Infant mortality rate for Black infants was 10.8 per 1,000 births in 2021.
- COVID-19 death rate for Black Americans was 1.9 times higher than for White Americans in 2020.
- 22.4% of Black adults smoked cigarettes in 2020.
- HIV diagnosis rate for Black adults was 42.8 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Life expectancy for Black females was 75.6 years in 2021.
- Stroke death rate for Black adults was 47.9 per 100,000 in 2021.
- 41% of Black adults had fair or poor health status in 2020.
- Heart disease death rate for Black females was 127.4 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Kidney disease prevalence in Black adults was 15.1% in 2019.
- Breast cancer incidence rate for Black women was 121.7 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Uninsured rate for Black adults was 10.7% in 2021.
- Mental illness prevalence among Black adults was 26.9% in 2015.
- Sickle cell disease affects 1 in 365 Black or African American births.
- Drug overdose death rate for Black Americans rose 41% from 2019-2020.
- Asthma prevalence in Black children: 13.4% in 2020.
- Prostate cancer mortality for Black men: 37.9 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Low birthweight rate for Black infants: 14.2% in 2021.
- Colorectal cancer incidence for Black adults: 42.6 per 100,000.
- Physical inactivity rate for Black adults: 30.9% in 2020.
- Lupus prevalence in Black women: 3 times higher than Whites.
- Opioid overdose deaths among Black Americans: 31.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Preterm birth rate for Black women: 14.2% in 2021.
- Sleep apnea prevalence in Black adults: 20% in 2019.
- Liver disease death rate for Black males: 17.5 per 100,000.
- Vaccine hesitancy among Black adults: 35% in 2021.
- Alzheimer's prevalence in Black seniors: 2x White rate.
- Oral health poor rating among Black adults: 28%.
- Sudden infant death syndrome rate for Black infants: 1.8 per 1,000.
Health Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait not of a genetic predisposition to poor health, but of a systemic and relentless siege on the Black body, where the chronic stress of inequality manifests as a devastatingly predictable cascade of disease and premature death.
Justice
- Incarceration rate for Black males was 1,408 per 100,000 in 2020.
- Black Americans made up 33% of the prison population in 2021, despite being 13% of the population.
- Black drivers were stopped by police at 1.5 times the rate of White drivers in 2020.
- Homicide victimization rate for Black males aged 15-34 was 89.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Black youth accounted for 52% of juvenile arrests in 2019.
- Pretrial detention rate for Black defendants was 44% higher than for White in 2019.
- Black Americans received 20.5% of death sentences in 2021.
- Police use of force was 2.5 times more likely against Black individuals in 2020.
- Black women comprised 18% of women in state prisons in 2021.
- Recidivism rate for Black ex-inmates was 68% within 3 years.
- Black suspects were 3.73 times more likely to be killed by police in 2021.
- Drug arrest rate for Black Americans was 3.6 times higher than White for marijuana in 2020.
- Black children represented 34% of youth in juvenile justice system in 2020.
- Sentencing disparity: Black males receive 19.1% longer sentences than White males.
- Black probationers were 1.4 times more likely to be incarcerated for violations.
- 40% of Black men have criminal record by age 23.
- Black Americans were 24% of felony defendants in state courts in 2018.
- Homicide offending rate for Black males was 34.4 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Black drivers searched during stops: 20% vs 9% for Whites in 2020.
- In 2020, Black population share in jails was 38%.
- Black females had an incarceration rate of 64 per 100,000 in 2020.
- Black incarceration costs taxpayers $80 billion yearly.
- Black Americans 5x more likely to be incarcerated than Whites.
- Wrongful conviction exonerations: Black 47% of total.
- Black juveniles tried as adults: 58% in some states.
- Cash bail impact: Black defendants pay 35% more.
- Black share of federal prison population: 38% in 2021.
- Police killings of unarmed Black people: 25% of cases in 2021.
- Black marijuana possession arrests: 88% despite equal usage.
- Lifetime risk of imprisonment for Black men: 1 in 3.
- Black women prison growth: 53% from 2000-2020.
Justice Interpretation
These statistics are a bleak and repetitive arithmetic, proving that for Black Americans, the pursuit of justice is a system rigged from the traffic stop to the prison cell.
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