Demographics: Black And Asian Populations In The U.S. In 2009

There were 38.1 million Blacks in the U.S. in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Some 11.3 million were under the age of 18, and 3.2 million were aged 65 or older. The vast majority of Blacks (86%) have lived in the U.S. for at least three family generations; 8.5% are the first generation of their family to live in the U.S., and 5.7% are the second generation. By comparison, 3.8% of Whites are the first generation of their family to live in the U.S., and 6.3% are the second generation.

Blacks aged 15 or older (46%) are significantly more likely than Whites the same age (26%) to be single and never married. They are less likely than Whites to be married (33% vs. 56%), and three times as likely as Whites to be separated (4.6% vs. 1.5%). Blacks and Whites have similar rates of divorce (10.6% vs. 10.3%) and widowhood (6.0% vs. 6.6%).

There were 13.3 million Asians in the U.S. in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Some 3.1 million were under the age of 18, and 1.3 million were aged 65 or older. Nearly two thirds of Asians (63%) are the first generation of their family to live in the U.S., 29% are the second generation, and 8% have lived in the U.S. for three generations or more.

Asians aged 15 or older (62%) are more likely than Whites to be married, and slightly more likely (27%) to be single and never married. Whites are more than twice as likely as Asians (4.2%) to be divorced, and significantly more likely than Asians (4.5%) to be widowed. They are equally likely to be separated (1.5% each).

Source: “Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2009,” U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office, 400 Silver Hill Rd., Washington, DC 20233; 301-763-3030; pio@census.gov; www.census.gov. Price: Available online at no charge.

© Copyright 2011, EPM Communications, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of publisher.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *