The number of Black people living in the U.S. reached a new high of 47.2 million in 2021, according to an analysis of government data. Among the U.S. Black population, both multiracial and Hispanic members have grown sharply since 2000.
More than half of the nation’s Black population lived in Southern states in 2021, up from 52% in 1970. And with 4 million Black residents, Texas is the state with the largest Black population.
Growing shares of Black women and Black men have earned a bachelor’s degree or more over the last two decades. However, Black women have seen a larger gain than Black men, leading to a widening gender gap in educational attainment.
