Racial Disparity Index Statistics

In this post, we explore a multitude of statistics unveiling stark racial disparities in various aspects of American society. From incarceration rates to wealth gaps, education disparities, and health outcomes, the data sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by Black Americans in the United States. The numbers paint a clear picture of systemic inequalities that persist across different domains, prompting a critical examination of the structural factors contributing to these disparities.

Statistic 1

"According to data from 2018, black people accounted for 33% of the sentenced prison population in the U.S, greatly outweighing their 12-13% representation in the total population."

Statistic 2

"In 2017, The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that about 17% of Whites and 20% of African Americans reported using illicit drugs within the past year."

Statistic 3

"According to the NAACP, African Americans are incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of whites."

Statistic 4

"From 1980 to 2015, the number of people incarcerated in America increased from roughly 500,000 to over 2.2 million. Major racial disparities exist in this statistic."

Statistic 5

"The wealth of white households was 13 times the median wealth of black households in 2013, compared with eight times the wealth in 2010."

Statistic 6

"Black borrowers have the highest default rate on student loans, at 49.7%."

Statistic 7

"Among high school students, white students are more likely than black and Hispanic students to report frequent nonmedical use of prescription drugs."

Statistic 8

"Non-Hispanic black adults are at least 50% more likely to be obese compared with non-Hispanic white adults."

Statistic 9

"Black kids are almost six times more likely to be shot to death than white children."

Statistic 10

"Black Americans were 24% of those fatally shot and killed by the police despite being just 13% of the U.S. population."

Statistic 11

"Black workers make only 82.5 cents for every dollar that white workers earn."

Statistic 12

"As of the end of 2017, white Americans made up 61% of the adult population but only 30% of incarcerated individuals. Black Americans, by contrast, made up 13% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population."

Statistic 13

"Only 44% of Black Americans own their homes compared to 73.7% of White Americans."

Statistic 14

"Black adults are 60% more likely than white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes."

Statistic 15

"Black students are three times more likely to be suspended or expelled than their white peers, according to the U.S. Department of Education."

The statistics presented here highlight significant racial disparities across various aspects of society, including incarceration rates, wealth gaps, health outcomes, educational outcomes, and law enforcement interactions. These disparities underscore the systemic inequities that Black Americans continue to face, contributing to a cycle of disadvantage and injustice. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive and concerted effort to confront and dismantle the structural barriers that perpetuate racial inequality in the United States.