Key facts about the nation’s 47.9 million Black Americans
The number of Black people living in the United States reached a new high of 47.9 million in 2022, up about a third (32%) since 2000.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The number of Black people living in the United States reached a new high of 47.9 million in 2022, up about a third (32%) since 2000.
32% of Black adults said they worried every day or almost every day that they might be threatened or attacked because of their race or ethnicity.
Black workers account for about 13% of all U.S. workers, including those who work full time, part time and are self-employed.
While Black-owned businesses have grown significantly in the U.S. in recent years, they still make up a small share of overall firms and revenue.
The number of Black eligible voters in the United States is projected to reach 34.4 million in November 2024 after several years of modest growth.
76% of Black adults say they at least sometimes get news on TV, compared with 62% of both White and Hispanic adults and 52% of Asian adults.
About four-in-ten Black Americans (39%) say they extremely or fairly often see or hear news coverage about Black people that is racist or racially insensitive.
53% of U.S. adults say people overlooking racial discrimination is a bigger problem than people seeing it where it really didn’t exist.
40% of Black Americans say that the issues and events most important to them are often covered, and similar shares of Asian (38%) and Hispanic (37%) adults say the same.
Around two-thirds of Black Democrats (66%) say that whether someone is a man or woman is determined by their sex at birth.
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA
(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries
ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
© 2024 Pew Research Center