In 2023, the unemployment rate of African Americans in the United States stood at 5.5 percent. This was over the national average of 3.6 percent.

The high rate of unemployment

There are many reasons why the unemployment rate among minorities is different than the national average. When it comes to African Americans, a large part of this is due to historical events, such as slavery and the struggle for civil rights, as well as the number of Black families living below the poverty level. Additionally, in 2019, for every 100,000 of the population, there were 2,203 Black men in prison. This high rate of imprisonment can contribute to the unemployment rate for African Americans, since having been in prison can reduce one’s chances of finding a job once released.

Earning differences

African Americans also make less money than other ethnicities in the United States. In 2020, the median weekly earnings of African Americans were 794 U.S. dollars, compared to Asians, who made 1,310 U.S. dollars per week, and whites, who made 1,003 U.S. dollars per week. While the African American unemployment rate may be low, it is clear that much has to change in order to achieve full equality.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Black or African American (LNS14000006) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 5.800 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.000 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 6.600 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.600 % in May 2020 and a record low of 4.400 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 6.80% in June of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American reached a record high of 21.20 in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.80 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

In 2024, six percent of the Black or African-American population in the United States were unemployed, the highest unemployment rate of any ethnicity. In 2024, the national unemployment rate stood at four percent.

United States Unemployment Rate: Female: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 5.300 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.800 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Female: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 6.400 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.200 % in May 2020 and a record low of 4.100 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: Female: NH: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

The unemployment rate for people ages 16 to 24 in the United States in 202024 23 was 10 percent. However, this rate was much lower for people aged 45 and over, at 2.9 percent. U.S. unemployment The unemployment rate in the United States varies based on several factors, such as race, gender, and level of education. Black and African-American individuals had the highest unemployment rate in 2021 out of any ethnicity, and people who had less than a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate by education level. Alaska is consistently the state with the highest unemployment rate, although the El Centro, California metropolitan area was the area with the highest unemployment rate in the country in 2019. Additionally, in August 2022, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations had the highest unemployment rate in the United States Unemployment rate The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the agency that researches and calculates the unemployment rate in the United States. Unemployment rises during recessions, which causes the cost of social welfare programs to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says unemployed people are those who are jobless, have looked for employment within the last four weeks, and are free to work.

United States Unemployment Rate: Male: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 6.200 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.100 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Male: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 7.300 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.100 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 4.700 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: Male: NH: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American was 1332.00000 Thous. of Persons in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American reached a record high of 3325.00000 in May of 2020 and a record low of 795.00000 in January of 1973. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American data was reported at 1,287.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,380.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 1,591.500 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,285.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 745.000 Person th in Oct 1973. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment.

United States - Unemployment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women was 684.00000 Thous. of Persons in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women reached a record high of 1676.00000 in May of 2020 and a record low of 274.00000 in December of 1972. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Hispanic or Latino (LNS14000009) from Mar 1973 to Jun 2025 about 16 years +, latino, hispanic, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Unemployment: Male: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 625.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 710.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Male: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 678.000 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,433.000 Person th in Jul 2020 and a record low of 459.000 Person th in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment: Male: NH: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment.

2020 data excluded because the U.S. Census Bureau did not release 2020 ACS 1-year estimates due to COVID-19. Some racial and ethnic categories are suppressed to avoid misleading estimates when the relative standard error exceeds 30%.

Data Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates

Why This Matters

Employment is the main source of income for most people. For many families and individuals, unemployment threatens access to basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation, health care, and education, among others.

Nationally, Black workers and workers of color, on average, experience persistently higher unemployment rates than white workers. Racist policies and practices, including segregation, employment discrimination, and inequities in the criminal justice system have undermined job security for workers of color.

The District's Response

Initiatives that support residents in career advancement and their efforts to secure sustainable employment through education and training support, such as Career MAP, Advanced Technical Centers (ATC), and the DC Infrastructure Academy, among other programs and services.

Administering federal and local safety net programs that provide temporary cash and health benefits to help residents experiencing unemployment and related economic hardship meet their basic needs, including unemployment insurance, Medicaid, TANF For District Families, SNAP, etc.

Programs to remove barriers employment for returning citizens, such as Pathways to Work and the Returning Citizens Access to Jobs Grant.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American data was reported at 1,366.000 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,427.000 Person th for Jan 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 1,593.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 638 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,285.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 745.000 Person th in Oct 1973. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G035: Current Population Survey: Unemployment.

United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American was 1287.00000 Thous. of Persons in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American reached a record high of 3285.00000 in May of 2020 and a record low of 745.00000 in October of 1973. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Level - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Abstract

This dataset was curated for the digital humanities portion of the project "500 Years of Black History in South Florida" by Synatra Smith, Luling Huang, and Portia Hopkins.

Methodology

Data was curated at the U.S. Census Tract level for four counties in South Florida: Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach.

There are two tables in this dataset:

• sociodem_enepov: This table contains several sociodemographic variables and energy burden level at the census tract level;
• airqua: This table contains monthly median air quality data at the census tract level for Year 2016.

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The sociodemographic data come from the American Community Survey (2020 5-year estimates). The variables include fraction of black population, median income, unemployment rate, and four education level variables for population 25 years or above: fraction of population below high school, fraction of population who had high school diploma only, fraction of population who had a college degree or equivalent only, and fraction of population who had a graduate degree. Here are the table numbers and relevant columns from the U.S. Census data portal:

• Education: S1501
• Black population: B01001B (column: B01001B_001E)
• Total population: B01001 (for calculating fraction of black population)
• Median income: S1903 (column: S1903_C03_001E)
• Employment: S2301 (column: S2301_C04_001E)

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The energy burden data come from the U.S. Department of Energy's Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) tool. The air quality (PM2.5 concentration) data come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Daily Census Tract-Level PM2.5 Concentrations, 2016.

This project is conducted on behalf of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the National Park Service with additional funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network [Data set]. www.cdc.gov/ephtracking

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• Ma, O. (2018). *Low-Income Energy Affordability Data - LEAD Tool - 2018 Update *[Data set]. U.S. Department of Energy. https://dx.doi.org/10.25984/1784729

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• U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). United States Census Bureau: Data [Data set]. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://data.census.gov/

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Usage

This dataset curates from data existing in the public domain and can be used for other purposes freely with attribution.

In the second quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate among Black South Africans was 36.9 percent, marking a year-on-year change of 0.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2023. On the other hand, the unemployment rate among white South Africans was 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2024, with a 0.5 percent year-on-year change. Unemployment prevalent among youth and women The unemployment rate is the share of the labor force population that is unemployed, while the labor force includes individuals who are employed as well as those who are unemployed but looking for work. South Africa is struggling to absorb its youth into the job market. For instance, the unemployment rate among young South Africans aged 15-24 years reached a staggering 60.7 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Furthermore, women had higher unemployment rates than men. Since the start of 2016, the unemployment rate of women has been consistently more than that of men, reaching close to 36 percent compared to 30 percent, respectively. A new minimum wage and most paying jobs      In South Africa, a new minimum hourly wage went into effect on March 1, 2022. The minimum salary reached 23.19 South African rand per hour (1.44 U.S. dollars per hour), up from 21.69 South African rand per hour (1.35 U.S. dollars per hour) in 2021. In addition, the preponderance of employed South Africans worked between 40 and 45 hours weekly in 2021. Individuals holding Executive Management and Change Management jobs were the highest paid in the country, with salaries averaging 74,000 U.S. dollars per year.

In 2023, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate in the world, at 32.1 percent. Of the 10 countries with the highest unemployment rates, six were in Sub-Saharan Africa. What exactly is unemployment? The unemployment rate is the number of people in the workforce currently looking for jobs but not working. This number does not include students and retirees, as they are not looking for work, nor does it include people who have given up on finding a job (known as discouraged workers). Comparing international unemployment rates can be problematic, however, as different countries use different methodologies when classifying unemployment. For example, Niger records the third lowest unemployment rate in the world, despite often being listed as the least developed country worldwide - this is because the majority of the population engage in subsistence farming, with very little opportunity for paid employment. Causes of unemployment in less developed countries A major driver in unemployment in these countries is conflict. In particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs) want to work, but moving to another part of the country disrupts their business network and moves them into a local economy with different labor demand. Countries with low levels of economic development, as roughly indicated by a low GDP per capita, often have fewer labor market opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 619.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 612.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 797.500 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,804.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 367.000 Person th in Apr 1972. United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment.