African Americans by the Numbers
From the U.S. Census Bureau
Find information on African-American populations, veterans, business-owners, incomes, home-owners, and more, in honor of Black History Month
Population Distribution
Note: Unless otherwise noted, the estimates in this section refer to the population that is either single-race black or black in combination with one or more other races.
40.7 million
As of July 1, 2007, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.5 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of more than half a million residents from one year earlier.
65.7 million
The projected black population of the United States (including those of more than one race) for July 1, 2050. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 15 percent of the nation’s total population.
18
Number of states with an estimated black population on July 1, 2007, of at least 1 million. New York, with 3.5 million, led the way. The 17 other states on the list were Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
38%
Percentage of Mississippi’s population that is black, highest of any state. Blacks also make up more than a quarter of the population in Louisiana (32 percent), Georgia (31 percent), Maryland (30 percent), South Carolina (29 percent) and Alabama (27 percent). They comprise 56 percent of the population in the District of Columbia.
84,000
The increase in Georgia’s black population between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, which led all states. Texas (62,000), Florida (48,000) and North Carolina (45,000) also recorded large increases.
24
Number of states or equivalents in which blacks are the largest minority group. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. (Note: Minorities are part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white.)
1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2007, which led the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. Orleans Parish, La., had the largest numerical increase in the black population between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007 (20,800). Neighboring St. Bernard Parish had the largest percent increase over the period (97 percent).
Among counties with total populations of at least 10,000, Claiborne County, Miss., had the largest percent of population that was black (84.5 percent). Claiborne led 82 majority-black counties or equivalents, all but one of which (St. Louis city, Mo.) was in the South.
31%
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2007. At the other end of the spectrum, 8 percent of the black population was 65 and older.
Serving Our Nation
2.4 million
Number of single-race black military veterans in the United States in 2007. More military veterans are black than any other minority group.
Education
Note: 2006 and 2007 data in this section pertain to single-race blacks.
82%
Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2007.
19%
Percentage of single-race blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2007.
1.2 million
Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2007 (e.g., master’s, doctorate, medical or law). In 1997, 717,000 blacks had this level of education.
2.3 million
Number of single-race black college students in fall 2006. This was an increase of roughly 1 million from 15 years earlier.
Businesses
$88.6 billion
Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled nearly 1.2 million in 2002. Black-owned firms accounted for 5% of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.
129,329
The number of black-owned firms in New York in 2002, which led all states. New York City alone had 98,080 such firms, which led all cities.
10,716
The number of black-owned firms operating in 2002 with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1% of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55% of their total receipts, or $49 billion.
969
The number of black-owned firms with 100 or more employees in 2002. Firms of this size accounted for 24% of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.
Income, Poverty and Health Insurance
$33,916
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2007, up from $32,876 (in 2007 constant dollars) in 2006.
$36,068 & $31,009
The 2007 median earnings of single-race black men and women, respectively, 15 and older who worked full time, year-round.
24.5%
Poverty rate in 2007 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2006.
19.5%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2007, down from 20.5 percent in 2006.
Families and Children
64%
Percentage of families among households with a single-race black householder. There were 8.5 million black family households.
45%
Among families with single-race black householders, the percentage that are married couples.
1.2 million
Number of single-race black grandparents living with their own grandchildren younger than 18. Of this number, 50 percent were also responsible for their care.
Homeowership – the American Dream
46%
Nationally, the percentage of households with a householder who is single-race black who lived in owner-occupied homes. The rate was higher in certain states, such as Mississippi, where it reached 59 percent.
Jobs
27%
The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations. There are 49,730 black physicians and surgeons, 70,620 postsecondary teachers, 49,050 lawyers, and 57,720 chief executives.
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
