Black (African-American) History Month: February 2010
To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our 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.
Population
41.1 million
As of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.5 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of more than a half-million residents from one year earlier.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
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.
Source: Population projections http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html
18
Number of states with an estimated black population on July 1, 2008, 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.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
38%
Percentage of Mississippi’s population that was black in 2008, highest of any state. Blacks also made up more than a quarter of the population in Louisiana in 2008 (32 percent), Georgia (31 percent), Maryland (30 percent), South Carolina (29 percent) and Alabama (27 percent). They comprise 56 percent of the population in the District of Columbia.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
67,000
The increase in Georgia’s black population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, which led all states. Texas (64,000), North Carolina (45,000) and Florida (41,000) also recorded large increases.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
24
Number of states or equivalents in which blacks were the largest minority group in 2008. These included Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, 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. (Note: Minorities are part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white.)
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2008, which led the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. Orleans Parish, La., had the largest numerical increase in the black population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (16,400).
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
Among counties with total populations of at least 10,000, Claiborne County, Miss., had the largest percent of population that was black (84.4 percent). Claiborne led 77 majority-black counties or equivalents, all of which were in the South.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
30%
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2008. At the other end of the spectrum, 8 percent of the black population was 65 and older.
Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
Note: Unless otherwise noted, the estimates in this section refer to the population that was either single-race black or black in combination with one or more other races.
Serving Our Nation
2.3 million
Number of single-race black military veterans in the United States in 2008. More military veterans are black than any other minority group.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey http://factfinder.census.gov.
Education
83%
Among blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
20%
Percentage of blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
1.4 million
Among blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2008 (e.g., master’s, doctorate, medical or law). In 1998, 857,000 blacks had this level of education.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
2.5 million
Number of black college students in fall 2008. This was roughly double the corresponding number from 15 years earlier.
Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/014354.html
Voting
About 2.1 million
The increase in the number of black voters between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, to 16.1 million. The total number of voters rose by 5.4 million, to 131.1 million.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html
55%
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.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html
65%
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.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html
Income, Poverty and Health Insurance
$34,218
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2008, a decline of 2.8 percent (in 2008 constant dollars) from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html
24.7%
Poverty rate in 2008 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html
19.1%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2008, not statistically different from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html
Families and Children
63%
Among households with a single-race black householder, the percentage that contained a family. There were 8.5 million black family households.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey http://factfinder.census.gov
44%
Among families with single-race black householders, the percentage that were married couples.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey  http://factfinder.census.gov
1.2 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.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey http://factfinder.census.gov
Homeownership – the American Dream
46%
Nationally, the percentage of households with a householder who was single-race black who lived in owner-occupied homes.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey http://factfinder.census.gov
Jobs
27%
The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. Source: 2008 American Community
Survey http://factfinder.census.gov
Businesses
$88.6 billion
Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled nearly 1.2 million in 2002. Black-owned firms accounted for 5 percent of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.
129,329
The number of black-owned firms in New York in 2002, which led all states. New York City alone had 98,080 such firms, which led all cities.
10,716
The number of black-owned firms operating in 2002 with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1 percent of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55 percent of their total receipts, or $49 billion.
969
The number of black-owned firms with 100 or more employees in 2002. Firms of this size accounted for 24 percent of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.
Source: Black-Owned Firms: 2002
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