from the U.S. Census Bureau
To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to the 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.
The U.S. Census compiled figures from various sources and expects to release 2010 figures for the black population and other races by April 1.
Population
41.8 million
As of July 1, 2009, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.6 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of more than a half 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, 2009, of at least 1 million. New York, with 3.5 million, led the way. The other 17 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 percent
Percentage of Mississippi’s population that was black in 2009. Although New York had the largest number of blacks of any state, Mississippi had the largest share of blacks in its total population.
Blacks also made up more than a quarter of the population in Louisiana (33 percent), Georgia (31 percent), Maryland (31 percent), South Carolina (29 percent) and Alabama (27 percent). They comprised 55 percent of the population in the District of Columbia.
72,100
The increase in Texas’ black population between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, which led all states.
23
Number of states in which blacks were the largest minority group in 2009. These included Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, 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. Blacks were also the largest minority group in the District of Columbia.
1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2009, which led the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. Harris County, Texas, had the largest numerical increase in the black population between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009 (15,700).
Among counties with total populations of at least 10,000, Claiborne County, Miss., had the largest percent of population that was black (85 percent). Claiborne led 77 majority-black counties or equivalents.
30 percent
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2009. At the other end of the age 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 2009.
Education
84 percent
Among blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2009.
19 percent
Percentage of blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2009.
1.5 million
Among blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2009, such as a master’s, doctorate, medical or law degree. A decade earlier, in 1999, about 900,000 blacks had this level of education.
2.5 million
Number of black college students in fall 2008. This was roughly double the corresponding number from 25 years earlier.
Voting
16.1 million
The number of blacks who voted in the 2008 presidential election, up by about 2.1 million from the 2004 presidential election. The total number of voters rose by 5.4 million, to 131.1 million.
55 percent
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 percent
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.
Income, poverty and health insurance
$32,584
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2009, a decline of 4.4 percent (in 2009 constant dollars) from 2008.
25.8 percent
Poverty rate in 2009 for single-race blacks, up from 24.7 percent in 2008.
21 percent
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2009, up from 19.1 percent in 2008.
Families and children
64 percent
Among households with a single-race black householder, the percentage that contained a family. There were 8.6 million black family households.
44 percent
Among families with single-race black householders, the percentage that were married couples.
1.3 million
Number of single-race black grandparents who lived with their own grandchildren younger than 18. Of this number, 50 percent were also responsible for their care.
Homeownership
44 percent
Nationally, the percentage of households with a householder who was single-race black who lived in owner-occupied homes.
Jobs
28 percent
The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations.
Businesses
$137.4 billion
Receipts for black-owned businesses in 2007, up 55.1 percent from 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled 1.9 million in 2007, up 60.5 percent.
37.6 percent
Percentage of black-owned businesses in 2007 in health care and social assistance, repair and maintenance and personal and laundry services.
28.2 percent
Percentage of businesses in the District of Columbia in 2007 which were black-owned, which led all states or state-equivalents. Georgia and Maryland followed, at 20.4 percent and 19.3 percent, respectively.