GITNUXREPORT 2026

Racism Statistics

Persistent systemic racism creates vast disparities across American society.

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Black Americans, who comprise 13.6% of the U.S. population, accounted for 33% of the prison population in 2020.

Statistic 2

In 2019, the homicide victimization rate for Black Americans was 20.9 per 100,000, compared to 3.3 for White Americans.

Statistic 3

Black drivers are 20% more likely to be stopped by police than white drivers, according to a 2020 Stanford study analyzing 100 million traffic stops.

Statistic 4

In 2021, Black Americans were arrested for marijuana possession at nearly 4 times the rate of whites, despite similar usage rates.

Statistic 5

From 2000-2019, Black youth were detained at 4.2 times the rate of white youth in juvenile justice systems.

Statistic 6

In 2018, 52% of Black Americans reported being treated as if they were suspicious by police, vs. 22% of whites.

Statistic 7

Federal death sentences from 1990-2020 show Black defendants were 3.5 times more likely to receive them than whites.

Statistic 8

In 2022, Black people comprised 53% of homicide offenders in cases where race was known, despite being 13% of population.

Statistic 9

Stop-and-frisk in NYC 2003-2013: 85% of stops were of Black or Latino people, who were 50% of population.

Statistic 10

Black Americans receive sentences 19.1% longer than whites for similar crimes, per 2017 USSC report.

Statistic 11

In 2020, police killed Black people at 2.5 times the rate of whites (28 vs 11 per million).

Statistic 12

2021 data shows Black suspects were 2.8 times more likely to be unarmed when shot by police than white suspects.

Statistic 13

Juvenile incarceration: Black youth are 5 times more likely to be incarcerated than white youth.

Statistic 14

In drug trafficking cases, Black defendants get 10% longer sentences than whites.

Statistic 15

2019: Black Americans 24% of arrests but 13% population; whites 69% arrests, 60% population.

Statistic 16

Pretrial detention: Black defendants 25% more likely to be detained pretrial than whites.

Statistic 17

In 2022, Black people were 3.7 times more likely to be killed by police than whites.

Statistic 18

Probation revocation rates: Black individuals 1.5 times more likely than whites.

Statistic 19

Use of force: Black suspects 3 times more likely to experience force during arrests.

Statistic 20

In 2016, Black drivers searched 5.4% of stops vs. 3.6% whites, finding contraband less often.

Statistic 21

Black women incarcerated at twice the rate of white women in 2020.

Statistic 22

Hate crimes: Anti-Black incidents 31.1% of race-based hate crimes in 2021.

Statistic 23

School resource officers: Black students 3 times more likely arrested at school.

Statistic 24

Cash bail: Black defendants pay 35% more bail on average.

Statistic 25

Plea bargains: Black defendants 25% less likely to get favorable pleas.

Statistic 26

Wrongful convictions: Black people 7 times more likely exonerated for sexual assault.

Statistic 27

Gang databases: 80% Black/Latino in some cities despite demographics.

Statistic 28

Tasering: Black individuals 2.5 times more likely to be tased.

Statistic 29

Parole denial: Black parolees denied at 1.6 times rate of whites.

Statistic 30

In 2023, Black youth 4 times more likely in solitary confinement in juvenile facilities.

Statistic 31

The median wealth for Black households in 2019 was $24,100, compared to $188,200 for white households.

Statistic 32

Black unemployment rate in 2023 averaged 5.5%, more than double the 3.1% for whites.

Statistic 33

Black workers earn 73 cents for every dollar white workers earn in 2022 median wages.

Statistic 34

In 2021, 19% of Black-owned businesses received PPP loans vs. 14% denial rate higher than whites.

Statistic 35

Black entrepreneurs receive 1% of venture capital funding despite being 13% population.

Statistic 36

Homeownership: 44% Black vs. 74% white in 2022.

Statistic 37

Black families have 1/8th the wealth of white families on average in 2019.

Statistic 38

CEO pay: Black CEOs earn 20% less than white counterparts in similar firms.

Statistic 39

In 2020, Black workers were 2.5 times more likely to lose jobs due to COVID.

Statistic 40

Small business loans: Black applicants denied at 2x rate of whites.

Statistic 41

Poverty rate: 18.8% Black vs. 7.3% non-Hispanic white in 2022.

Statistic 42

Wage gap persists: Black men earn 71% of white men's wages in 2023.

Statistic 43

Black college grads unemployment 2x whites in 2022.

Statistic 44

Inheritance: Black families receive 35% less inheritance wealth.

Statistic 45

Gig economy: Black workers earn 20% less on platforms like Uber.

Statistic 46

Retirement savings: Black workers have 65% less saved than whites.

Statistic 47

Credit scores: 40% Black adults subprime vs. 18% whites.

Statistic 48

Black women poverty rate 23.4% vs. 10.5% white women in 2021.

Statistic 49

Business closures: Black businesses closed at 41% rate vs. 32% whites in pandemic.

Statistic 50

Occupational segregation: 30% Black workers in low-wage service jobs vs. 15% whites.

Statistic 51

Student debt: Black grads owe 86% more debt 10 years post-grad.

Statistic 52

Mortgage denial: Black applicants 80% more likely denied.

Statistic 53

Black households food insecurity 22% vs. 9% whites in 2021.

Statistic 54

Executive roles: 3.2% Black in Fortune 500 vs. 13% population.

Statistic 55

Auto loan rates: Black borrowers pay 0.7% higher interest.

Statistic 56

Black unemployment duration: 7.8 months vs. 5.2 for whites in 2023.

Statistic 57

Black high school dropouts 6.4% vs. 4.1% whites.

Statistic 58

In 2022, only 26% of Black students had access to advanced math courses vs. 35% whites.

Statistic 59

Black students suspended at 3.8 times the rate of white students in 2017-18.

Statistic 60

High school graduation: 79% Black vs. 89% white in 2020.

Statistic 61

SAT scores: Black students average 926 vs. 1111 for whites in 2022.

Statistic 62

Black students 15% of enrollment but 40% of school arrests.

Statistic 63

Funding gap: Predominantly Black schools receive $1,500 less per student.

Statistic 64

College enrollment: Black rate 33% vs. 42% whites post-high school.

Statistic 65

Teacher bias: Black students graded 0.18 points lower on identical essays.

Statistic 66

AP course access: 50% fewer Black students enrolled proportionally.

Statistic 67

Expulsion rates: Black preschoolers 3.6x more likely expelled.

Statistic 68

Gifted programs: Black students 16% of students but 5% gifted.

Statistic 69

Reading proficiency: 17% Black 8th graders proficient vs. 39% whites.

Statistic 70

Math proficiency: 12% Black vs. 39% white 8th graders.

Statistic 71

Counselors: Black students have 1:500 ratio vs. 1:250 whites.

Statistic 72

Bullying: 25% Black students report race-based bullying vs. 10% whites.

Statistic 73

STEM degrees: Black students 9% of bachelor's vs. 13% population.

Statistic 74

HBCU funding: $1B less than predominantly white institutions.

Statistic 75

Dropout rates: 5.2% Black vs. 3.9% whites 2021.

Statistic 76

Teacher diversity: 7% Black teachers vs. 15% Black students.

Statistic 77

Special ed: Black students overrepresented by 15%.

Statistic 78

Ivy League: Black enrollment 7-10% despite affirmative action.

Statistic 79

NAEP scores gap: 30 points in reading for 4th graders Black-white.

Statistic 80

School segregation: 40% Black students in majority-minority schools.

Statistic 81

Black maternal mortality 55.3 per 100k births vs. 19.1 white in 2021.

Statistic 82

COVID death rate: Black Americans 1.7x higher than whites.

Statistic 83

Life expectancy: 70.8 years Black vs. 76.4 white in 2021.

Statistic 84

Infant mortality: 10.8 per 1k Black births vs. 4.4 white.

Statistic 85

Diabetes prevalence: 12.1% Black adults vs. 7.4% whites.

Statistic 86

Hypertension: 56% Black adults vs. 48% whites.

Statistic 87

Cancer mortality: Black rate 189 per 100k vs. 150 white.

Statistic 88

Obesity: 49.9% Black adults vs. 41.4% whites.

Statistic 89

Mental health: Black adults 10.3% serious psych distress vs. 8.2% whites.

Statistic 90

Vaccine hesitancy: Initial COVID vax rate 10% lower for Blacks.

Statistic 91

Heart disease death: 211 per 100k Black vs. 178 white.

Statistic 92

Kidney disease: Black ESRD rate 3x whites.

Statistic 93

Stroke mortality: 44.6 per 100k Black vs. 33.7 white.

Statistic 94

Uninsured rate: 10.6% Black vs. 6.3% whites 2022.

Statistic 95

Doctor visits: Black patients 20% less likely to have regular doctor.

Statistic 96

Pain treatment: Black patients 40% less likely prescribed opioids for pain.

Statistic 97

HIV diagnosis: Black rate 42.3 per 100k vs. 11.7 white.

Statistic 98

Suicide: Black youth rate rising 182% 2007-2020 vs. whites.

Statistic 99

Air pollution exposure: Black Americans 56% higher PM2.5 exposure.

Statistic 100

Lead poisoning: Black kids 2x risk in childhood.

Statistic 101

Mammogram screening: 10% lower for Black women.

Statistic 102

Colorectal cancer screening: Black adults 5% less screened.

Statistic 103

Asthma hospitalization: Black children 4x whites.

Statistic 104

Sickle cell: Affects 1 in 365 Black Americans.

Statistic 105

Black applicants 21% more likely denied mortgages than whites in 2022.

Statistic 106

Black homebuyers pay 3-5% higher interest rates.

Statistic 107

Redlining legacy: 74% Black neighborhoods graded D or worse historically.

Statistic 108

Rent burden: 53% Black renters spend >30% income vs. 42% whites.

Statistic 109

Eviction rates: Black women 1.5x more likely evicted.

Statistic 110

Public housing: 48% Black occupancy vs. 13% population.

Statistic 111

Appraisal bias: Black homes undervalued by $48k on average.

Statistic 112

Segregation index: 59% Black-white dissimilarity in 2020.

Statistic 113

FHA loans: Black areas 10% less likely approved.

Statistic 114

Homelessness: Black people 37% homeless population vs. 13% general.

Statistic 115

Rental discrimination: Black renters face 50% callback disparity.

Statistic 116

Subprime mortgages: Black borrowers 2.5x more likely subprime pre-2008.

Statistic 117

Housing vouchers: Black recipients face landlord rejection 20% higher.

Statistic 118

Lead paint: 70% more Black children exposed.

Statistic 119

Gentrification: 52% Black residents displaced in gentrifying areas.

Statistic 120

Section 8: Black families 25% less likely housed.

Statistic 121

Foreclosure: Black homeowners 76% higher rate 2007-2010.

Statistic 122

Neighborhood poverty: Black children 4x whites in high-pov areas.

Statistic 123

HOPE VI: 50% Black residents not returned post-redev.

Statistic 124

Discrimination audits: Black testers denied 21% units vs. whites.

Statistic 125

Property tax: Black homes assessed 13% higher value.

Statistic 126

Mobile homes: 25% Black occupancy vs. 5% pop.

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From the classroom to the courtroom, the grocery store to the hospital bed, and the job market to the housing market, the cold, relentless statistics paint a devastating portrait of systemic racism in America, where Black individuals face staggering disadvantages at nearly every turn in life.

Key Takeaways

  • Black Americans, who comprise 13.6% of the U.S. population, accounted for 33% of the prison population in 2020.
  • In 2019, the homicide victimization rate for Black Americans was 20.9 per 100,000, compared to 3.3 for White Americans.
  • Black drivers are 20% more likely to be stopped by police than white drivers, according to a 2020 Stanford study analyzing 100 million traffic stops.
  • The median wealth for Black households in 2019 was $24,100, compared to $188,200 for white households.
  • Black unemployment rate in 2023 averaged 5.5%, more than double the 3.1% for whites.
  • Black workers earn 73 cents for every dollar white workers earn in 2022 median wages.
  • In 2022, only 26% of Black students had access to advanced math courses vs. 35% whites.
  • Black students suspended at 3.8 times the rate of white students in 2017-18.
  • High school graduation: 79% Black vs. 89% white in 2020.
  • Black maternal mortality 55.3 per 100k births vs. 19.1 white in 2021.
  • COVID death rate: Black Americans 1.7x higher than whites.
  • Life expectancy: 70.8 years Black vs. 76.4 white in 2021.
  • Black applicants 21% more likely denied mortgages than whites in 2022.
  • Black homebuyers pay 3-5% higher interest rates.
  • Redlining legacy: 74% Black neighborhoods graded D or worse historically.

Persistent systemic racism creates vast disparities across American society.

Criminal Justice

  • Black Americans, who comprise 13.6% of the U.S. population, accounted for 33% of the prison population in 2020.
  • In 2019, the homicide victimization rate for Black Americans was 20.9 per 100,000, compared to 3.3 for White Americans.
  • Black drivers are 20% more likely to be stopped by police than white drivers, according to a 2020 Stanford study analyzing 100 million traffic stops.
  • In 2021, Black Americans were arrested for marijuana possession at nearly 4 times the rate of whites, despite similar usage rates.
  • From 2000-2019, Black youth were detained at 4.2 times the rate of white youth in juvenile justice systems.
  • In 2018, 52% of Black Americans reported being treated as if they were suspicious by police, vs. 22% of whites.
  • Federal death sentences from 1990-2020 show Black defendants were 3.5 times more likely to receive them than whites.
  • In 2022, Black people comprised 53% of homicide offenders in cases where race was known, despite being 13% of population.
  • Stop-and-frisk in NYC 2003-2013: 85% of stops were of Black or Latino people, who were 50% of population.
  • Black Americans receive sentences 19.1% longer than whites for similar crimes, per 2017 USSC report.
  • In 2020, police killed Black people at 2.5 times the rate of whites (28 vs 11 per million).
  • 2021 data shows Black suspects were 2.8 times more likely to be unarmed when shot by police than white suspects.
  • Juvenile incarceration: Black youth are 5 times more likely to be incarcerated than white youth.
  • In drug trafficking cases, Black defendants get 10% longer sentences than whites.
  • 2019: Black Americans 24% of arrests but 13% population; whites 69% arrests, 60% population.
  • Pretrial detention: Black defendants 25% more likely to be detained pretrial than whites.
  • In 2022, Black people were 3.7 times more likely to be killed by police than whites.
  • Probation revocation rates: Black individuals 1.5 times more likely than whites.
  • Use of force: Black suspects 3 times more likely to experience force during arrests.
  • In 2016, Black drivers searched 5.4% of stops vs. 3.6% whites, finding contraband less often.
  • Black women incarcerated at twice the rate of white women in 2020.
  • Hate crimes: Anti-Black incidents 31.1% of race-based hate crimes in 2021.
  • School resource officers: Black students 3 times more likely arrested at school.
  • Cash bail: Black defendants pay 35% more bail on average.
  • Plea bargains: Black defendants 25% less likely to get favorable pleas.
  • Wrongful convictions: Black people 7 times more likely exonerated for sexual assault.
  • Gang databases: 80% Black/Latino in some cities despite demographics.
  • Tasering: Black individuals 2.5 times more likely to be tased.
  • Parole denial: Black parolees denied at 1.6 times rate of whites.
  • In 2023, Black youth 4 times more likely in solitary confinement in juvenile facilities.

Criminal Justice Interpretation

This relentless cascade of statistics paints a portrait not of individual choices, but of a system meticulously calibrated to surveil, punish, and incarcerate Black Americans from the schoolhouse to the prison yard at a scale that can only be described as engineered disparity.

Economic Disparities

  • The median wealth for Black households in 2019 was $24,100, compared to $188,200 for white households.
  • Black unemployment rate in 2023 averaged 5.5%, more than double the 3.1% for whites.
  • Black workers earn 73 cents for every dollar white workers earn in 2022 median wages.
  • In 2021, 19% of Black-owned businesses received PPP loans vs. 14% denial rate higher than whites.
  • Black entrepreneurs receive 1% of venture capital funding despite being 13% population.
  • Homeownership: 44% Black vs. 74% white in 2022.
  • Black families have 1/8th the wealth of white families on average in 2019.
  • CEO pay: Black CEOs earn 20% less than white counterparts in similar firms.
  • In 2020, Black workers were 2.5 times more likely to lose jobs due to COVID.
  • Small business loans: Black applicants denied at 2x rate of whites.
  • Poverty rate: 18.8% Black vs. 7.3% non-Hispanic white in 2022.
  • Wage gap persists: Black men earn 71% of white men's wages in 2023.
  • Black college grads unemployment 2x whites in 2022.
  • Inheritance: Black families receive 35% less inheritance wealth.
  • Gig economy: Black workers earn 20% less on platforms like Uber.
  • Retirement savings: Black workers have 65% less saved than whites.
  • Credit scores: 40% Black adults subprime vs. 18% whites.
  • Black women poverty rate 23.4% vs. 10.5% white women in 2021.
  • Business closures: Black businesses closed at 41% rate vs. 32% whites in pandemic.
  • Occupational segregation: 30% Black workers in low-wage service jobs vs. 15% whites.
  • Student debt: Black grads owe 86% more debt 10 years post-grad.
  • Mortgage denial: Black applicants 80% more likely denied.
  • Black households food insecurity 22% vs. 9% whites in 2021.
  • Executive roles: 3.2% Black in Fortune 500 vs. 13% population.
  • Auto loan rates: Black borrowers pay 0.7% higher interest.
  • Black unemployment duration: 7.8 months vs. 5.2 for whites in 2023.
  • Black high school dropouts 6.4% vs. 4.1% whites.

Economic Disparities Interpretation

The statistics form a damning ledger proving that America’s promise is still priced in black and white, with one group paying a lifelong premium of systemic disadvantage while the other cashes a default dividend of unearned advantage.

Educational Inequities

  • In 2022, only 26% of Black students had access to advanced math courses vs. 35% whites.
  • Black students suspended at 3.8 times the rate of white students in 2017-18.
  • High school graduation: 79% Black vs. 89% white in 2020.
  • SAT scores: Black students average 926 vs. 1111 for whites in 2022.
  • Black students 15% of enrollment but 40% of school arrests.
  • Funding gap: Predominantly Black schools receive $1,500 less per student.
  • College enrollment: Black rate 33% vs. 42% whites post-high school.
  • Teacher bias: Black students graded 0.18 points lower on identical essays.
  • AP course access: 50% fewer Black students enrolled proportionally.
  • Expulsion rates: Black preschoolers 3.6x more likely expelled.
  • Gifted programs: Black students 16% of students but 5% gifted.
  • Reading proficiency: 17% Black 8th graders proficient vs. 39% whites.
  • Math proficiency: 12% Black vs. 39% white 8th graders.
  • Counselors: Black students have 1:500 ratio vs. 1:250 whites.
  • Bullying: 25% Black students report race-based bullying vs. 10% whites.
  • STEM degrees: Black students 9% of bachelor's vs. 13% population.
  • HBCU funding: $1B less than predominantly white institutions.
  • Dropout rates: 5.2% Black vs. 3.9% whites 2021.
  • Teacher diversity: 7% Black teachers vs. 15% Black students.
  • Special ed: Black students overrepresented by 15%.
  • Ivy League: Black enrollment 7-10% despite affirmative action.
  • NAEP scores gap: 30 points in reading for 4th graders Black-white.
  • School segregation: 40% Black students in majority-minority schools.

Educational Inequities Interpretation

The numbers tell a story not of ability, but of a system that, from preschool to graduation, seems to hold Black students to a different, and far more punitive, standard than their white peers.

Health Disparities

  • Black maternal mortality 55.3 per 100k births vs. 19.1 white in 2021.
  • COVID death rate: Black Americans 1.7x higher than whites.
  • Life expectancy: 70.8 years Black vs. 76.4 white in 2021.
  • Infant mortality: 10.8 per 1k Black births vs. 4.4 white.
  • Diabetes prevalence: 12.1% Black adults vs. 7.4% whites.
  • Hypertension: 56% Black adults vs. 48% whites.
  • Cancer mortality: Black rate 189 per 100k vs. 150 white.
  • Obesity: 49.9% Black adults vs. 41.4% whites.
  • Mental health: Black adults 10.3% serious psych distress vs. 8.2% whites.
  • Vaccine hesitancy: Initial COVID vax rate 10% lower for Blacks.
  • Heart disease death: 211 per 100k Black vs. 178 white.
  • Kidney disease: Black ESRD rate 3x whites.
  • Stroke mortality: 44.6 per 100k Black vs. 33.7 white.
  • Uninsured rate: 10.6% Black vs. 6.3% whites 2022.
  • Doctor visits: Black patients 20% less likely to have regular doctor.
  • Pain treatment: Black patients 40% less likely prescribed opioids for pain.
  • HIV diagnosis: Black rate 42.3 per 100k vs. 11.7 white.
  • Suicide: Black youth rate rising 182% 2007-2020 vs. whites.
  • Air pollution exposure: Black Americans 56% higher PM2.5 exposure.
  • Lead poisoning: Black kids 2x risk in childhood.
  • Mammogram screening: 10% lower for Black women.
  • Colorectal cancer screening: Black adults 5% less screened.
  • Asthma hospitalization: Black children 4x whites.
  • Sickle cell: Affects 1 in 365 Black Americans.

Health Disparities Interpretation

The statistics present a clear and grim diagnosis: systemic racism operates with a chillingly consistent prescription of inequality, infecting every stage of life from birth to death with quantifiable, deadly consequences.

Housing Discrimination

  • Black applicants 21% more likely denied mortgages than whites in 2022.
  • Black homebuyers pay 3-5% higher interest rates.
  • Redlining legacy: 74% Black neighborhoods graded D or worse historically.
  • Rent burden: 53% Black renters spend >30% income vs. 42% whites.
  • Eviction rates: Black women 1.5x more likely evicted.
  • Public housing: 48% Black occupancy vs. 13% population.
  • Appraisal bias: Black homes undervalued by $48k on average.
  • Segregation index: 59% Black-white dissimilarity in 2020.
  • FHA loans: Black areas 10% less likely approved.
  • Homelessness: Black people 37% homeless population vs. 13% general.
  • Rental discrimination: Black renters face 50% callback disparity.
  • Subprime mortgages: Black borrowers 2.5x more likely subprime pre-2008.
  • Housing vouchers: Black recipients face landlord rejection 20% higher.
  • Lead paint: 70% more Black children exposed.
  • Gentrification: 52% Black residents displaced in gentrifying areas.
  • Section 8: Black families 25% less likely housed.
  • Foreclosure: Black homeowners 76% higher rate 2007-2010.
  • Neighborhood poverty: Black children 4x whites in high-pov areas.
  • HOPE VI: 50% Black residents not returned post-redev.
  • Discrimination audits: Black testers denied 21% units vs. whites.
  • Property tax: Black homes assessed 13% higher value.
  • Mobile homes: 25% Black occupancy vs. 5% pop.

Housing Discrimination Interpretation

The data paints a relentlessly systemic picture: from mortgage denials and higher interest rates to undervalued homes and discriminatory evictions, the American housing landscape remains a rigged game where the rules, both past and present, are designed to disproportionately burden Black communities.

Sources & References