This statistics shows the leading metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of Black population in the United States in 2023. Among the 81 largest metropolitan areas, Memphis, Tennessee was ranked first with ** percent of residents reporting as Black or African-Americans in 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Population Level - Black or African American (LNU00000006) from Jan 1972 to Sep 2025 about African-American, civilian, population, and USA.

In 2024, white Americans remained the largest racial group in the United States, numbering just over 254 million. Black Americans followed at nearly 47 million, with Asians totaling around 23 million. Hispanic residents, of any race, constituted the nation’s largest ethnic minority. Despite falling fertility, the U.S. population continues to edge upward and is expected to reach 342 million in 2025. International migrations driving population growth The United States’s population growth now hinges on immigration. Fertility rates have long been in decline, falling well below the replacement rate of 2.1. On the other hand, international migration stepped in to add some 2.8 million new arrivals to the national total that year. Changing demographics and migration patterns Looking ahead, the U.S. population is projected to grow increasingly diverse. By 2060, the Hispanic population is expected to grow to 27 percent of the total population. Likewise, African Americans will remain the largest racial minority at just under 15 percent.

About this dataset

Context

This list ranks the 51 states in the United States by Multi-Racial Black or African American population, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau. It also highlights population changes in each states over the past five years.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, including:

• 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Variables / Data Columns

• Rank by Multi-Racial Black Population: This column displays the rank of states in the United States by their Multi-Racial Black or African American population, using the most recent ACS data available.
• states: The states for which the rank is shown in the previous column.
• Multi-Racial Black Population: The Multi-Racial Black population of the states is shown in this column.
• % of Total states Population: This shows what percentage of the total states population identifies as Multi-Racial Black. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• % of Total U.S. Multi-Racial Black Population: This tells us how much of the entire United States Multi-Racial Black population lives in that states. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• 5 Year Rank Trend: TThis column displays the rank trend across the last 5 years.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Context

Percentage of populations in the USA that identify as black. 1790-2018.

Content

Columns: State, Year, Percent

Acknowledgements

Data from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_African-American_population, via https://web.archive.org/web/20080725044857/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html.

Banner photo by Enayet Raheem on Unsplash

There were almost 700 thousand slaves in the U.S. in 1790, which equated to approximately 18 percent of the total population, or roughly one in six people. By 1860, the final census taken before the American Civil War, there were four million slaves in the South, compared with less than 500,000 free Black Americans in all of the U.S.. Of the 4.4 million Blacks in the U.S. before the war, almost four million of these people were held as slaves; meaning that for all African Americans living in the US in 1860, there was an 89 percent* chance that they lived in slavery. A brief history Trans-Atlantic slavery began in the early 16th century, when the Portuguese and Spanish forcefully brought enslaved Africans to the New World. The British Empire introduced slavery to North America on a large scale, and the economy of the British colonies there depended on slave labor, particularly regarding cotton, sugar, and tobacco output. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century the number of slaves being brought to the Americas increased exponentially, and at the time of American independence it was legal in all thirteen colonies. Although slavery became increasingly prohibited in the north, the number of slaves remained high during this time as they were simply relocated or sold from the north to the south. It is also important to remember that the children of slaves were also viewed as property, and were overwhelmingly born into a life of slavery. Abolition and the American Civil War In the years that followed independence, the Northern States gradually prohibited slavery, it was officially abolished there by 1805, and the importation of slave labor was prohibited nationwide from 1808 (although both still existed in practice after this). Business owners in the Southern States however depended on slave labor in order to meet the demand of their rapidly expanding industries, and the issue of slavery continued to polarize American society in the decades to come. This culminated in the election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who promised to prohibit slavery in the newly acquired territories to the west, leading to the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Although the Confederacy (south) took the upper hand in much of the early stages of the war, the strength in numbers of the northern states including many free, Black men, eventually resulted in a victory for the Union (north), and the nationwide abolishment of slavery with the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. Legacy In total, an estimated twelve to thirteen million Africans were transported to the Americas as slaves, and this does not include the high number who did not survive the journey (which was as high as 23 percent in some years). In the 150 years since the abolition of slavery in the US, the African-American community have continuously campaigned for equal rights and opportunities that were not afforded to them along with freedom. The most prominent themes have been the Civil Rights Movement, voter suppression, mass incarceration, and the relationship between the police and the African-American community.

This is a historical measure showing decennial census counts of 1990, 2000, and 2010 for the percentage of Austin that is African American. For more data on Austin demographics please visit austintexas.gov/demographics.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Maine by race. It includes the population of Maine across racial categories (excluding ethnicity) as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Maine across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

The percent distribution of Maine population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 91.34% are white, 1.68% are Black or African American, 0.45% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.11% are Asian, 0.02% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.70% are some other race and 4.70% are multiracial.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (excluding ethnicity) for the Maine
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Maine is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Maine total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Maine Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

This statistic shows the percentage of the Black, non-Hispanic population aged between 25 and 29 years with a bachelor's degree or a higher level degree in the United States from 1975 to 2021, by gender. In 2021, about ** percent of Black, non-Hispanic females had attained at least a bachelor's degree in the United States.

Graph and download economic data for Employment-Population Ratio - Black or African American (LNS12300006) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about African-American, employment-population ratio, 16 years +, household survey, population, employment, and USA.

In 2023, about **** percent of Alabama residents were Black or African American. A further **** percent of the population were white, and *** percent of residents were of two or more races in that year.

In 2023, **** percent of Mississippi residents were Black or African American. A further **** percent of the population were white, and *** percent of Mississippi residents were of two or more races in that same year.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Washington by race. It includes the population of Washington across racial categories (excluding ethnicity) as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Washington across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

The percent distribution of Washington population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 40.46% are white, 44.66% are Black or African American, 0.29% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.10% are Asian, 0.05% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 4.76% are some other race and 5.69% are multiracial.

https://i.neilsberg.com/ch/washington-dc-population-by-race.jpeg" alt="Washington population by race">

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (excluding ethnicity) for the Washington
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Washington is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Washington total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Washington Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - Black or African American (LNU01300006) from Jan 1972 to Sep 2025 about African-American, participation, civilian, labor force, 16 years +, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

In 2023, *** percent of Kentucky residents were Black or African American. A further **** percent of the population were white, and *** percent of Kentucky residents were of two or more races in that same year.

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

In 2024, **** percent of Black people living in the United States were living below the poverty line, compared to *** percent of white people. That year, the overall poverty rate in the U.S. across all races and ethnicities was **** percent. Poverty in the United States The poverty threshold for a single person in the United States was measured at an annual income of ****** U.S. dollars in 2023. Among families of four, the poverty line increases to ****** U.S. dollars a year. Women and children are more likely to suffer from poverty. This is due to the fact that women are more likely than men to stay at home, to care for children. Furthermore, the gender-based wage gap impacts women's earning potential. Poverty data Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States has some of the highest poverty rates among OECD countries. While, the United States poverty rate has fluctuated since 1990, it has trended downwards since 2014. Similarly, the average median household income in the U.S. has mostly increased over the past decade, except for the covid-19 pandemic period. Among U.S. states, Louisiana had the highest poverty rate, which stood at some ** percent in 2024.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Alabama by race. It includes the population of Alabama across racial categories (excluding ethnicity) as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Alabama across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

The percent distribution of Alabama population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 65.36% are white, 26.09% are Black or African American, 0.44% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.42% are Asian, 0.05% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 2.12% are some other race and 4.51% are multiracial.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (excluding ethnicity) for the Alabama
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Alabama is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Alabama total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Alabama Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

In 2023, **** percent of Louisiana residents were Black or African American. A further **** percent of the population were white, and *** percent of Louisiana residents were of two or more races in that same year.

About this dataset

Context

This list ranks the 102 cities in the New Mexico by Black or African American population, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau. It also highlights population changes in each cities over the past five years.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, including:

• 2019-2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
• 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Variables / Data Columns

• Rank by Black Population: This column displays the rank of cities in the New Mexico by their Black or African American population, using the most recent ACS data available.
• cities: The cities for which the rank is shown in the previous column.
• Black Population: The Black population of the cities is shown in this column.
• % of Total cities Population: This shows what percentage of the total cities population identifies as Black. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• % of Total New Mexico Black Population: This tells us how much of the entire New Mexico Black population lives in that cities. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.
• 5 Year Rank Trend: TThis column displays the rank trend across the last 5 years.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.