We explore the diverse views and experiences of Black people in America with in-depth surveys and other research. Our work focuses on three themes: Black identity, the economic and social mobility of Black people in America, and Black representation in American political and social life. This work is part of our wider race and ethnicity research portfolio.
Tanya Arditi
tarditi@pewresearch.org
202.419.3623
Black Americans support significant reforms to or complete overhauls of several U.S. institutions to ensure fair treatment. Yet even as they assess inequality and ideas about progress, many are pessimistic about whether society and institutions will change in ways that would reduce racism.
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Many Black Americans say they learn about their ancestors and U.S. Black history from family.
Black Americans hold multifaceted views when it comes to trust in medical research scientists: Majorities hold largely positive views of their competence, but express concern about the potential for misconduct.
Immigrants – particularly those from African nations – are a growing share of the U.S. Black population.
Today, most Black adults say they rely on prayer to help make major decisions, and view opposing racism as essential to their religious faith.
In an August 2022 survey, 54% of Black adults said they had a very or somewhat negative impression of capitalism, up from 40% in May 2019.
Key statistics and data about the demographic, geographic and economic characteristics of the U.S. Black population.
In 2020, there were an estimated 140,918 U.S. firms with majority Black or African American ownership, up 14% from 124,004 in 2017.
Nearly six-in-ten want organizations working for Black progress to address the distinct challenges facing Black LGBTQ people. Black Americans are more likely to know someone who is transgender or nonbinary than to identify as such themselves.
Overall, 57 Black women – among a total of 106 women of color – have ever been elected to the national legislature.
The Black population in the U.S. has grown by 30% since 2000, rising from 36.2 million then to 47.2 million in 2021.
Mental health concerns top the list of worries for parents, followed by concerns about their children being bullied. The vast majority of parents say being a parent is enjoyable and rewarding all or most of the time, but substantial shares also find it tiring and stressful.
Most Black adults (63%) say voting is an extremely or very effective strategy for Black progress; only 42% say the same of protesting.
Around two-thirds of Black Democrats (66%) say that whether someone is a man or woman is determined by their sex at birth.
65% of Americans overall see clinical trials as very important, despite the time such trials add to the process of developing new treatments.
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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.
