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

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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.

41.1 million
As of July 1, 2008, 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, 2008, 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.

67,000
The increase in Georgia's black population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, which led all states. Texas (64,000), Florida (41,000) and North Carolina (45,000) also recorded large increases.

24
Number of states or equivalents in which blacks were the largest minority group in 2008. These included 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.

1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2008, 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, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (16,400). 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 (84.4 percent). Claiborne led 82 majority-black counties or equivalents, all but one of which (St. Louis city, Mo.) was in the South.

30%
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2008. At the other end of the spectrum, 8 percent of the black population was 65 and older.

Serving Our Nation

2.3 million
Number of single-race black military veterans in the United States in 2008. More military veterans are black than any other minority group.

Education

Note:

83%
Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2008.

20%
Percentage of single-race blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2008.

1.4 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 1998, 857,000 blacks had this level of education.

2.5 million
Number of single-race black college students in fall 2008. This was roughly double the corresponding number from 15 years earlier.

Voting

About 2.1 Million

The increase in the number of black voters between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, to 16.1 million. The total number of voters rose by 5.4 million, to 131.1 million.

55%

Turnout rate in the 2008 presidential election for the 18- to 24-year-old citizen black population, an 8 percent increase from 2004. Blacks had the highest turnout rate in this age group.

65%

Turnout rate among black citizens in the 2008 presidential election, up about 5 percentage points from 2004. Looking at voter turnout by race and Hispanic origin, non-Hispanic whites and blacks had the highest turnout levels.

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

$34,218
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2008, a decline of 2.8 percent (in 2008 constant dollars) from 2007.

24.7%
Poverty rate in 2008 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2007.

19.1%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2008, statistically unchanged from 2007.

Families and Children

63%
Percentage of families among households with a single-race black householder. There were 8.5 million black family households.

44%
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.