Facts About the U.S. Black Population
Key statistics and data about the demographic, geographic and economic characteristics of the U.S. Black population.
- Learn more: Key facts about the U.S. Black population
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Black Americans
We explore the diverse views and experiences of Black people in America with in-depth surveys and other research. Our work focuses on three themes: Black identity, the economic and social mobility of Black people in America, and Black representation in American political and social life. This work is part of our wider race and ethnicity research portfolio.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanya Arditi
tarditi@pewresearch.org
202.419.3623
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5 facts about Black Americans and health care
More Black Americans say health outcomes for Black people in the United States have improved over the past 20 years than say outcomes have worsened.
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Wealth Surged in the Pandemic, but Debt Endures for Poorer Black and Hispanic Families
About one-in-four Black households and one-in-seven Hispanic households had no wealth or were in debt in 2021, compared with about one-in-ten U.S. households overall.
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How Black Americans engage with local news
About three-quarters of Black adults in the United States say they see or hear news coverage about their local community at least sometimes.
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Black Americans’ Experiences With News
Black Americans see a range of problems with how Black people are covered in the news. Almost two-thirds of Black adults (63%) say news about Black people is often more negative than news about other racial and ethnic groups. And while few are optimistic that will change in the foreseeable future, many see ways in which that coverage could be improved.
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Black workers’ views and experiences in the U.S. labor force stand out in key ways
Black workers account for about 13% of all U.S. workers, including those who work full time, part time and are self-employed.
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Americans are divided on whether society overlooks racial discrimination or sees it where it doesn’t exist
53% of U.S. adults say people overlooking racial discrimination is a bigger problem than people seeing it where it really didn’t exist.
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Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy 60 Years After the March on Washington
Most Americans say Martin Luther King Jr. has had a positive impact on the country, with 47% saying he has had a very positive impact. 52% say the country has made a great deal or a fair amount of progress on racial equality in the past six decades.
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How public attitudes toward Martin Luther King Jr. have changed since the 1960s
About eight-in-ten American adults (81%) say civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. has had a positive impact on the United States.
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Hispanic and Black News Media Fact Sheet
News media made by and for Black and Hispanic Americans – the two largest racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. – have been a consistent part of the country’s news landscape. Explore statistics on the Hispanic- and Black-oriented news industry.
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Most Black adults in the U.S. are optimistic about their financial future
68% of Black adults in the U.S. say they do not have enough income to lead the kind of life they want, but a majority are optimistic that they will one day.
