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.

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 from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNU02000031) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about 20 years +, males, African-American, household survey, employment, and USA.

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.

In 2023, 1.21 million Black or African American individuals in the United States were unemployed. This is a decrease from the previous year, but has yet to reach pre-pandemic lows.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 5.80% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American reached a record high of 21.70 in June of 1983 and a record low of 4.40 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.

United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 5.500 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.400 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 10.900 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.100 % in Jun 1983 and a record low of 4.000 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: 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 Rate.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about 20 years +, females, African-American, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men was 5.40% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men reached a record high of 21.60 in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.50 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

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.

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.

The series comes from the 'Current Population Survey (Household Survey)'

The source code is: LNU04000006

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 16-19 Yrs., Black or African American (LNS14000018) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about 16 to 19 years, African-American, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

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.

In 2023, about 23.51 percent of unemployed Black or African American individuals had been jobless for at least 27 weeks. This was slightly higher amongst Asian individuals, at 23.55 percent. See the monthly unemployment rate in the U.S. here.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data was reported at 6.300 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.200 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data is updated monthly, averaging 11.000 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.200 % in Jan 1983 and a record low of 4.800 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) 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: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women was 5.80% in June of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women reached a record high of 18.20 in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.20 in August of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

The unemployment rate of white disabled persons in the United States amounted to 6.7 percent in 2023. This is significantly lower than the unemployment rate of disabled black people, which was 10.2 percent in the same year.