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U.S. Census Bureau issues Facts for Features in observance of Black (African-American) History Month: February 2009
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To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U. S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.
Population
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.
Source: Population projections
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.)
Source: Population estimates
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).
Source: Population estimates
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.
Source: Population estimates
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.
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.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
Education
82%
Among single-race blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2007.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2007
19%
Percentage of single-race blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2007.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 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.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2007
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.
Source: School Enrollment - Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2006
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 percent 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 percent of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55 percent 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 percent of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.
Source: Black-Owned Firms: 2002
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.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
$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.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
24.5%
Poverty rate in 2007 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2006.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
19.5%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2007, down from 20.5 percent in 2006.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html>
Families and Children
64%
Percentage of families among households with a single-race black householder. There were 8.5 million black family households.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
45%
Among families with single-race black householders, the percentage that are married couples.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
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.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
Homeownership - 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.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
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.
Sources: 2007 American Community Survey and Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009
Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series:
Black History Month (February)
Super Bowl
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
Older Americans Month (May)
Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
Mother's Day
Hurricane Season Begins (June 1)
Father's Day
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
Back to School (August)
Labor Day
Grandparents Day
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Unmarried and Single Americans Week
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day
The Holiday Season (December)
Editor's note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail:
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