Source: https://www.census.gov/
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 to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African-American History Month.
The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.
Note: References to the black population in this publication is to single-race black people (“black alone”) unless otherwise noted.
Did You Know?
47.8 million: The black population, either alone or in combination with one or more races, in the United States in 2018
87.9%: The percentage of African-Americans age 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2018.
29.9%: The percentage of the employed black population age 16 and older working in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2018.
121,466: The number of black-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2016.
2.2 million: The number of black military veterans in the United States nationwide in 2018.
Texas had the largest black population in 2018, among states.
