Learn about issues impacting the Black community

Learn about the different backgrounds, trailblazers, milestone events, and issues impacting the Black community in the U.S.

Key facts about the U.S. Black population

An African American teacher standing in front of her classroom, pointing to students whose hands are up to answer a question.

Educational attainment among Black Americans continues to rise.

In 2023, 27% of Black adults ages 25 and older – 8.2 million people – had earned at least a bachelor’s degree. That was up from 14.5% in 2000.
Growing shares of Black women and men alike have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. But Black women have made greater gains.
Senior Black Couple Gardening Taking a Selfie

Growth in the Black population

The Black population in the U.S. has grown by 1/3 since 2000, from 36.2 million then to 48.3 million in 2023.
Notably, the number of people who identify as another race in addition to Black has increased 269%
Nonbinary Black person and trans Black woman looking at smartphone and smiling

Race Is Central to Identity for Black Americans and Affects How They Connect With Each Other

No matter where they are from, who they are, their economic circumstances or educational backgrounds, significant majorities of Black Americans say being Black is extremely or very important to how they think about themselves, with about three-quarters (76%) overall saying so.  
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Hate crimes targeting Black communities

According to the FBI, race-based hate crimes are most common, with over half of all hate crimes motivated by race, ethnicity or ancestry in 2023.
Anti-Black or African American hate crimes made up more than half of these racially-motivated incidents (51.3%)
The crimes targeting Black or African American people were more than three times higher than the next highest racial or ethnic category.
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Issues impacting the Black community

African Americans, represent 13 percent of the general homeless population, but account for 36.6 percent of people experiencing homelessness and more than 37 percent of homeless families with children
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A study by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development found that people of color were often shown fewer rental units and denied more leases.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Black father holding young son and walking in the city

Understand the community

Learn about the different backgrounds, trailblazers, milestone events, and issues impacting the Black community in the U.S.

Black History

Use this resource to learn about key historical figures, important dates, watch videos, and more.
Read about Black history

BlackPast.org

BlackPast is a robust resource for African American history, including information about key people, places, events, and more.
Check out BlackPast

31 little-know Black historic facts

From the hidden figures who made an impact, essential Black inventors, change-making civil rights leaders, award-winning authors, and showstopping 21st-century women, Black American history is incredibly rich.
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