The number of Black people living in the United States reached a record high of 48.3 million in 2023, reflecting a 33% increase since 2000, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of government data. The Black population has become increasingly diverse, with more individuals identifying as belonging to multiple racial backgrounds.
For Black History Month, key insights into the country’s Black population have been highlighted. This analysis focuses on three primary groups: non-Hispanic Black individuals of a single race, non-Hispanic multiracial Black individuals, and Black Hispanics. However, it is important to note that Black Hispanics are distinct from the Afro-Latino population.
A Changing Demographic Landscape
Since 2000, the Black population has increased from 36.2 million to 48.3 million, with a significant rise in those identifying as multiracial. The number of Black individuals who also identify with another race has surged by 269%, while those who identify as Hispanic have increased by 210%. This reflects a broader national trend of growing racial diversity and a shift in how Americans identify their racial backgrounds. Additionally, immigration from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions has contributed significantly to this growth.
State-Level Trends in Black Population Growth
The Black population has expanded most rapidly in states that historically had smaller Black communities. Utah witnessed the highest growth rate, with an 89% increase between 2010 and 2023. Other states with substantial Black population growth include Arizona, Nevada, and Minnesota, each experiencing a 60% rise during the same period.
Texas, Florida, and Georgia saw the largest numerical increases in Black residents between 2010 and 2023. Texas added 1.2 million Black residents, while Florida and Georgia saw increases of 800,000 and 610,000, respectively. As a result, these states now have larger Black populations than New York, which had the highest Black population in 2010.
Meanwhile, some areas saw declines. Between 2010 and 2023, the Black population decreased by 2% in both Mississippi and Illinois, and by 1% in Washington, D.C.
Metro Areas with the Largest Black Populations
The New York City metropolitan area continues to have the highest number of Black residents in the U.S., with approximately 3.8 million Black individuals living there in 2023. Other metro areas with large Black populations include Atlanta (2.3 million), Washington, D.C. (1.8 million), and Chicago (1.7 million).
As a proportion of the overall population, Atlanta leads among metro areas with at least 1 million Black residents. In 2023, 37% of Atlanta’s population was Black. Other metro areas with significant Black population shares include Washington, D.C. (28%), Philadelphia (23%), and Detroit (23%).
Among major metro areas, Dallas experienced the highest percentage growth in Black residents, increasing by 47% between 2010 and 2023. In contrast, Detroit saw no net growth, while Los Angeles recorded a slight decline of 1%. Although the Black population within Washington, D.C., itself decreased, the overall Black population in its larger metro area grew by 3%.
A Young Population Compared to Others
The U.S. Black population remains relatively young. In 2023, the median age of Black Americans was 32.6 years, compared to 39.2 years for those who do not identify as Black. Additionally, 27% of Black Americans were under the age of 18, a higher percentage than among non-Black Americans (21%).
The median age varies among different Black demographic groups. In 2023, the median age was:
- 35.4 years for single-race, non-Hispanic Black individuals
- 21.7 years for Black Hispanic individuals
- 19.5 years for multiracial, non-Hispanic Black individuals
Rising Educational Attainment Among Black Americans
Educational achievement among Black Americans has steadily improved. In 2023, 27% of Black adults aged 25 and older—equivalent to 8.2 million people—had earned at least a bachelor’s degree, nearly doubling from 14.5% in 2000.
Both Black women and men have seen increased levels of higher education, though Black women have experienced the most significant gains. In 2023, 30.1% of Black women aged 25 and older held at least a bachelor’s degree, up from 15.4% in 2000. By comparison, 23.6% of Black men in this age group had attained at least a bachelor’s degree, rising from 13.4% in 2000.
Marriage and Relationship Trends
Black Americans are less likely to be married compared to the general population. In 2023, 48% of Black adults had never been married, whereas only 29% of non-Black adults remained unmarried.
Black men were more likely than Black women to be married, with 36% of Black men being married in 2023 compared to 29% of Black women. Meanwhile, Black women were more likely than Black men to be divorced, separated, or widowed, with 25% of Black women falling into these categories compared to 15% of Black men.
Interracial Marriage and Spouse Demographics
Approximately 18% of married Black adults had a spouse of a different race in 2023. Among married Black men, 21% were married to someone who was not Black, while 13% of married Black women had non-Black spouses. These figures account only for couples living in the same household.
However, Black women were more likely than Black men to have a Black spouse. In 2023, 87% of married Black women had a Black spouse, compared to 79% of married Black men. This includes spouses who identify as single-race Black, multiracial Black, or Black Hispanic.
Income Levels Among Black Households
In 2023, Black households had a median annual income of $54,000. Income levels varied among different Black demographic groups:
- Multiracial Black households: Median income of $65,800
- Black Hispanic households: Median income of $60,000
- Single-race Black households: Median income of $52,800
The data highlights the economic diversity within the Black population, with significant variations based on racial and ethnic identity.
Conclusion
The U.S. Black population has grown substantially over the past two decades, both in size and diversity. This increase has been driven by multiple factors, including immigration and a broader societal shift in racial self-identification. The growth patterns across different states and metro areas highlight changing demographics, while trends in education, marriage, and income provide insight into the evolving social and economic landscape of Black Americans today.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/23/key-facts-about-black-americans/
Enviroment
Trump Declares End to Biden’s ‘Plastic Straw Mandate,’ Plans Executive Order to Reinstate Plastic Use
Former U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday, February 8, to announce the end of what he described as President Joe Biden’s “plastic straw mandate.” He celebrated the return of plastic straws while ridiculing paper alternatives.
In his post, Trump wrote, “Crooked Joe’s MANDATE, ‘NO PLASTIC STRAWS, ONLY PAPER,’ IS DEAD! Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!!!”
He further revealed his plan to sign an executive order the following week, reversing Biden’s push for paper straws and officially reinstating plastic.
Labeling the move “ridiculous,” Trump criticized the functionality of paper straws. Expressing his frustration in a post on X, he stated, “I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work. Back to plastic!”
Exit from Paris Agreement
Trump’s announcement came shortly after he signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. This decision mirrored a move he made during his first term in office. The international accord, signed by nearly 200 countries, seeks to limit global warming, though it is not legally binding.