Historian Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week in 1926 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). Congress expanded it to National Black History Month 50 years later during the nation’s bicentennial celebration at which time then-President Gerald Ford urged the country to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy.
Did You Know?
50,579,102
The Black or African American alone or in combination population in the United States in 2023.
Source:
90.1%
The percentage of African Americans age 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2022.
35.3%
The percentage of the employed Black population age 16 and older working in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2023.
Source:
161,031
The number ofBlack-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2021.
Source:
1,997,837
The number of Black civilian veterans in the United States nationwide in 2023.
Source: