Key facts about the U.S. Black population.
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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. -
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% -
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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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