U S C E N S U S B U R E A U

Census 2000 Special Reports

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration 

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 

CENSR-25

Issued August 2005

By 

Jesse D. McKinnon

and

Claudette E. Bennett

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

We the People:

Blacks in the United States
This report was prepared in the Racial Statistics Branch by Jesse D.

McKinnon and Claudette E. Bennett, Chief, under the supervision

of Jorge del Pinal, Assistant Division Chief, Special Population

Statistics, Population Division. John F. Long, then Chief, Population

Division, provided overall direction. 

General direction was provided by Judy G. Belton, Chief, Race and

Hispanic Origin Review Branch, Population Division. Within the Race

and Hispanic Origin Review Branch, Linda M. Chase provided principal statistical assistance, and additional assistance was provided

by Yvonne J. Gist, Debra A. Niner, and Paula L. Vines. The

contents of the report were reviewed by Marjorie F. Hanson,

Population Division. Steve Smith, Population Division, provided

computer programming support.

James Dinwiddie and Jeanne Waples of the Decennial Management

Division provided decennial policy review of this report. Felipe E.

Kohn, under the guidance of Philip M. Gbur of the Decennial

Statistical Studies Division, conducted sampling review. 

Jan Sweeney, Theodora Forgione, and Jamie Peters of the

Administrative and Customer Services Division, Walter C. Odom,

Chief, provided publications and printing management, graphics

design and composition, and editorial review for print and electronic

media. General direction and production management were provided

by Susan L. Rappa, Chief, Publications Services Branch. 

Acknowledgments
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 1

This report provides a portrait of

the Black or African American population in the United States and

discusses sex differences within

this population at the national

level. It is part of the Census 2000

Special Reports series that presents

several demographic, social, and

economic characteristics collected

from Census 2000. 

In Census 2000, 36.2 million people, or 12.9 percent of the total

population reported that they were

Black.1 Of this number, 34.4 million people, or 12.2 percent of the

total population, reported Black as

their only race; and 1.9 million

people, or 0.7 percent, reported

Black and one or more other

races.2 Table 1 shows the number

of people, by sex, who reported

Black as their only race and a tally

of the number of times this race

was reported.

Census 2000 reported on six major

race categories: White, Black or

African American, American Indian

or Alaska Native, Asian, Native

Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander,

and Some Other Race. The

category “Black or African

American” refers to people having

origins in any of the Black race

groups of Africa. It includes people

who reported Black, African

American, or Negro or wrote in

entries such as Afro American,

Nigerian, or Haitian.

The data collected by Census 2000

on race can be divided into two

broad categories: people who

reported only one race and people

who reported more than 1 of the 6

major race categories. People who

responded to the question on race

by indicating only one race are

referred to as the single-race population. For example, respondents

who reported their race as Black

and no other race would be

included in the single-race Black

population, which is identified as

Black alone in tables in this report.

Individuals who reported a specific

race and one or more races from a

different major race category are

referred to as the race incombination population. For

example, respondents who reported they were White and Black or

White and Black and Asian would

be included in the Black incombination population.3

We the People: 

Blacks in the United States

Table 1.

Black Population by Sex: 2000

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see

www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Sex

Black alone Black alone or in combination

with one or more other races

Number

Percent of U.S.

population Number

Percent of U.S.

population

Both sexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,361,740 12.2 36,213,467 12.9

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,284,366 5.8 17,183,425 6.1

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,077,374 6.4 19,030,042 6.8

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

1 This report uses the term Black to refer

to people who reported they were Black or

African American. 2 The data contained in this report are

based on the people for whom data were collected using the Census 2000 long form. As

with all surveys, estimates may vary from

the actual values because of sampling variation or other factors. All comparisons made

in this report have undergone statistical testing and are significant at the 90-percent confidence level unless otherwise noted.

3 The race in-combination categories use

the conjunction and in bold and italicized

print to link the race groups that compose

the combination.
In the text and figures of this

report, population characteristics

are shown for Blacks who reported

only one race. This does not imply

that it is the preferred method of

presenting or analyzing data. The

Census Bureau uses a variety of

approaches. Table 2 summarizes

characteristics for single-race

Blacks, Blacks who reported two or

more races, and people who

reported they were Black, regardless of whether they also reported

another race. Data for the Black

single-race population and the

Black population, regardless of

whether they reported any other

races, are available in Summary

File 4 on the Internet at 

<www.census.gov/prod/cen2000

/doc/sf4.pdf>. 

Two companion reports provide

more information on these concepts and populations. The Census

2000 Brief The Black Population:

2000 analyzes population data

collected from the short-form

questions in Census 2000. It

shows the distribution of the Black

population at both the national and

subnational levels.4 In addition,

the Census 2000 Brief Overview of

Race and Hispanic Origin: 2000

provides a complete explanation of

the race categories used in Census

2000 and information on each of

the six major race groups and the

Hispanic-origin population at the

national level. 

2 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

Census 2000 incorporated the federal standards for

collecting and presenting data on race and Hispanic

origin issued by the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) in October 1997. The standards consider race and Hispanic origin to be two separate

and distinct concepts. For Census 2000, the questions on race and Hispanic origin were asked of

every individual living in the United States, and

answers were based on self-identification. 

Data on race have been collected since the first U.S.

decennial census in 1790. The question on race on

Census 2000 was different from the one on the

1990 census in several ways. For example, in

2000, respondents were asked to select one or

more race categories to indicate their racial identities.* Because of the changes, the Census 2000

data on race are not directly comparable with data

from the 1990 or earlier censuses. Caution must

be used when interpreting changes in the racial

composition of the U.S. population over time.

The Census 2000 question on race included 15

separate response categories and three areas where

respondents could write in a more specific race

group. The response categories and write-in

answers can be combined to create the five OMB

race categories plus Some Other Race, as well as all

combinations of two or more races. In addition to

White, Black or African American, American Indian

and Alaska Native, and Some Other Race, 7 of the

15 response categories are Asian and 4 are Native

Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

Because Hispanics or Latinos may be any race, data

in this report for Blacks overlap slightly with data for

Hispanics. Among Blacks who reported only one

race, approximately 2.0 percent were Hispanic. The

question on Hispanic origin in Census 2000 was similar to the 1990 question, except for its placement

on the questionnaire and a few wording changes.

For Census 2000, the question on Hispanic origin

was asked directly before the question on race, while

in 1990, the question on race preceded questions on

age and marital status, which were followed by the

question on Hispanic origin. Additionally, in Census

2000, a note was included on the questionnaire

asking respondents to complete both the question

on Hispanic origin and the question on race.

* A more detailed discussion of these changes is provided in

Elizabeth M. Grieco and Rachel C. Cassidy, 2001, Overview of Race

and Hispanic Origin: 2000, U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Brief,

C2KBR/01-1. This report is available on the U.S. Census Bureau’s

Internet site at <www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-1.pdf>.

UNDERSTANDING DATA ON RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN FROM CENSUS 2000

4 Jesse McKinnon, 2001, The Black

Population: 2000, U.S. Census Bureau,

Census 2000 Brief, C2KBR/01-5. This report

is available on the U.S. Census Bureau’s

Internet site at <www.census.gov/prod

/2001pubs/c2kbr01-5.pdf>.
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 3

• For each of the age groups

between 0 and 14 years, higher

proportions of both males and

females were found in the Black

population than in the total

population. 

• At the older ages (65 and over),

women outnumbered men in

both populations.

• In the age categories 30 to 44,

the proportion of Black men was

lower than that of men in the

total population. In contrast, in

this age range, the proportion of

Black women was higher than

that of women in the total

population.

In comparison with the total population, a higher proportion of the Black population was

in the younger age groupings.

7 6 5 4 3 2 10

0 to 4 

5 to 9 

10 to 14 

15 to 19 

20 to 24 

25 to 29 

30 to 34 

35 to 39 

40 to 44 

45 to 49 

50 to 54 

55 to 59 

60 to 64 

65 to 69 

70 to 74 

75 to 79 

80 to 84 

85 + 

Figure 1.

Age and Sex: 2000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

Percent

Male Female

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Total population

Black

01234567

Age
4 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

• In 2000, Blacks had a median

age of 30.4 years, 5 years

younger than the national

median of 35.4 years.

• Black males had a lower median

age (28.7 years) than Black

females (32.0 years).

• Black women outnumbered

Black men, especially in the

older age groups. 

• Ten percent of the Black female

population and 7 percent of the

Black male population were

aged 65 and over. 

• The proportions of the total population in the age groups 18 to

64 and 65 and older were higher

than the corresponding proportions in the Black population; for

the population under 18, the proportion of Blacks (31 percent)

was higher than that of the total

population (26 percent).

On average, Blacks were about 5 years younger than the total population.

Figure 2.

Selected Age Groups and Median Age by Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error,

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Female

Male

Both sexes

Female

Male

Both sexes 12.4

29.2 61.1 9.7 

33.5 59.9 6.5 

31.3 60.5 8.2 

24.5 61.2 14.4 

26.8 62.7 10.4 

25.6 61.9

Under 18 18 to 64 65 and older Median age

(years)

35.4

34.1

36.6

30.4

28.7

32.0

Total population

Black population
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 5

• While 27 percent of the U.S.

population 15 and older had

never been married, the corresponding percentage of Blacks

was 41 percent. Thirty-six

percent of Blacks were married,

compared with 54 percent of

the total population. 

• Blacks were more likely than the

total population to be separated,

widowed, or divorced. Five percent of Blacks were separated; 

7 percent were widowed; and 

11 percent were divorced.

• At the time of the census, 

42 percent of Black men were

married, compared with 31 percent of Black women. In contrast, 10 percent of Black women

were widowed, compared with 

3 percent of Black men.

Women

Men

Both sexes

Women

Men

Both sexes 9.7

39.7 31.2 5.9 10.4 12.8 

41.6 41.5 4.4 3.0 9.5 

40.6 36.0 5.2 7.0 11.2 

24.1 52.1 2.5 10.5 10.8 

30.3 56.7 1.8 2.5 8.6 

27.1 54.4 2.2 6.6

Figure 3.

Marital Status by Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution of population 15 and older. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, 

sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Never married Married Separated Widowed Divorced

Total population, 15 and older

Black population, 15 and older

About 4 in 10 Blacks had never been married. 
6 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

• While about 68 percent of both

Black and all households were

family households, the type of

family household differed.

• Thirty-two percent of Black

households were maintained by

married-couple families, compared with 53 percent of all

households. The proportion of

households that were family

households maintained by Black

women with no husband present was nearly 3 times the

corresponding proportion for all

households (30 percent compared with 12 percent).

• Less than 6 percent of both total

households and Black households were family households

maintained by men with no 

wife present.

• The average size of households

maintained by a Black householder was 2.72 people. 

Figure 4.

Household Type and Average Household Size: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution of households. Households are classified by the race of the householder. Data based on sample. 

For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, 

see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Black households

Total households

Married couple Male householder, 

no spouse present

Nonfamily 

households

Female householder, 

no spouse present

Family households

31.7

52.5 11.8 4.1 31.5

32.1 30.5 5.7 

Average

household

size

2.59

2.72

The majority of Black households were family households.
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 7

• A higher percentage of the Black

population (94 percent) than the

total population (89 percent)

was native.

• Nearly 4 percent of Blacks and 

7 percent of the total population

were foreign born and not

citizens. 

• Similar proportions of Black

males and females were foreignborn naturalized citizens (about

3 percent each).

Figure 5.

Nativity and Citizenship Status by Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Female

Male

Both sexes

Female

Male

Both sexes

Native Foreign born, naturalized citizen Foreign born, not a citizen

Total population

Black population

3.2

88.9 4.5 6.6

88.8 4.2 7.0

89.1 4.7 6.2

93.9 2.7 3.4

93.9 2.6 3.6

93.9 2.8 

Blacks were more likely than the total population to be natives.
8 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

• Forty-one percent of foreign-born

Blacks entered the United States

between 1990 and 2000, close

to the percentage for the total

population (42 percent). Thirtytwo percent of Blacks arrived

between 1980 and 1989, and 

27 percent before 1980. A

higher proportion (73 percent) of

foreign-born Blacks than the total

foreign-born population (70 percent) came to the United States

in the two decades before

Census 2000. 

• Between 1980 and 2000, a higher proportion of foreign-born

Black males than foreign-born

Black females entered the United

States—75 percent compared

with 72 percent. 

• A higher proportion of the

foreign-born Black population 

(32 percent) than the total

foreign-born population (27 percent) came to the United States

during the 1980–1989 decade. 

Figure 6.

Foreign Born by Year of Entry and Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Female

Male

Both sexes

Female

Male

Both sexes

Before 1980 1980 to 1989 1990 to 2000

Total foreign born

Black foreign born

40.5

30.4 27.2 42.4

28.1 28.2 43.8

32.7 26.3 41.0

26.7 31.9 41.4

25.4 32.2 42.4

27.9 31.7 

Forty-one percent of the foreign-born Black population arrived in the United States

during the 1990s.
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 9

• In 2000, 84 percent of all

foreign-born Blacks were from

two regions—the Caribbean 

(60 percent) and Africa (24 percent), compared with 9 percent

and 3 percent, respectively, of

the total population. 

• In contrast, 42 percent of the

total foreign-born population and

about 12 percent of the Black

foreign-born population came

from Central and South America. 

• Among the foreign-born population, a higher proportion of

Black males (28 percent) than

Black females (21 percent) came

from Africa, while a higher

proportion of Black females 

(63 percent) than Black males

(56 percent) came from the

Caribbean. 

Figure 7.

Foreign Born by Region of Birth: 2000

1

 All other regions includes people from Europe, Northern America, Oceania, and those born at sea.

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

Female

Male

Both sexes

Female

Male

Both sexes

(Percent distribution. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Africa Asia

Central and

Caribbean South America

All other 

regions1

Black foreign born

Total foreign born

3.5

2.8 

3.1 

2.5 

24.4 

28.2 

20.9

26.4 

25.4 

27.5 

0.8 

0.8 

0.7

9.5 

8.8 

10.2 

59.6 

56.0 

62.8

42.2 

45.4 

39.1 

11.9 

11.8 

12.0

19.0 

17.2 

20.8 

3.4 

3.2 

Over four-fifths of all foreign-born Blacks came from the Caribbean and Africa.
10 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

• In the Black population, 14 percent of individuals 25 and older

had a bachelor’s degree or more

education, compared with 

24 percent of the total U.S. population. A slightly larger proportion of Black individuals than

of the total population had

some college experience or an

associate’s degree (28 percent

compared with 27 percent). 

• The educational attainment

levels among Blacks varied by

sex. About 15 percent of Black

women had earned at least a

bachelor’s degree, higher than

the 13 percent of Black men.

• The proportion of Black men 

(13 percent) with a bachelor’s

degree was one-half that of men

in the total population (26 percent). The proportion of Black

women (15 percent) with a

bachelor’s degree was two-thirds

that of women in the total population (23 percent). 

Overall, Black women had higher educational attainment levels than Black men.

Figure 8.

Educational Attainment by Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution of population 25 and older. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, 

sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Women

Men

Both sexes

Women

Men

Both sexes

Total population, 25 and older

Black population, 25 and older

Less than high 

school graduate

Some college or 

associate's degree

High school 

graduate 

Bachelor's degree 

or more

15.2

19.6 

19.9 

19.3 

27.7 

29.1 

26.6

28.6 

27.6 

29.6 

29.8 

31.4 

28.4

27.4 

26.4 

28.2 

28.2 

26.5 

29.7

24.4 

26.1 

22.8 

14.3

13.1 
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 11

Black men and women 

had similar labor force

participation rates.

• In 2000, 60 percent of Blacks

and 64 percent of the total population 16 and older were in the

labor force.

• A higher percentage of Black

women (60 percent) than of all

women (58 percent) was in the

labor force. 

• The percentage of Black men in

the labor force was about 

10 percentage points lower than

for all men, 61 percent compared with 71 percent. 

Figure 9.

Labor Force Participation Rate by Sex: 2000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent of specified population 16 and older that is in the labor force. 

Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, 

sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Women

Men

Both sexes

Women

Men

Both sexes

Total population, 16 and older

Black population, 16 and older

59.6

63.9

70.7

57.5

60.2

60.9
12 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

• Blacks were represented in all

occupations but were more likely

than the total civilian employed

population to hold jobs in the

service and production, transportation, and material moving

occupations. Twenty-two percent of all Blacks and 15 percent

of all workers were in service

jobs. Nineteen percent of Blacks

were in production, transportation, and material moving jobs,

compared with 15 percent of all

workers. These proportions

varied by sex.

• Twenty-five percent of Blacks

and 34 percent of all workers

were in management, professional, and related occupations.

• Approximately 27 percent of

both Blacks and all workers

were in sales and office

occupations.

• In 2000, a higher proportion of

Black women (30 percent) than

Black men (20 percent) was in

management, professional, and

related occupations. A higher

proportion of Black men (28 percent) than Black women (10 percent) was in production, transportation, and material moving

jobs. The highest concentrations

of employed Black men were in

these two occupation groups.

Figure 10.

Occupation by Sex: 2000

Note: Some percentages do not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

Women

Men

Both sexes

Women

Men

Both sexes

(Percent distribution of employed civilian population 16 and older. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/docs/sf4.pdf)

Management, 

professional, 

and related Service

Farming, 

fishing, 

and

forestry 

Sales and

office

Construction, 

extraction, 

and

maintenance

Production, 

transportation, 

and material 

moving

10.4

33.6 

31.4 

36.2 

25.2 

20.0 

29.7

14.9 

12.1 

18.0 

22.0 

19.4 

24.2

26.7 

17.9 

36.7 

27.3 

18.3 

34.8

0.7 

1.1 

0.3 

0.4 

0.7 

0.1

9.4 

17.1 

0.7 

6.5 

13.3 

0.8

14.6 

20.5 

8.0 

18.6 

28.3 

All employed workers

Black employed workers

A higher proportion of Black women than Black men was in managerial and professional

occupations.
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 13

• In 1999, the median earnings of

Blacks 16 and older who worked

year-round, full-time were

$27,300, about $85 for every

$100 earned by all workers. 

• The median earnings of Black

men were $30,000, compared

with $37,100 for all men. Black

women’s earnings were

$25,600, compared with

$27,200 for all women.

• The earnings of Black male and

female workers were more comparable than those of all male

and female workers. Black

women who worked year-round,

full-time earned $85 for every

$100 earned by comparable

Black men; in contrast, all

women earned $73 for every

$100 earned by all men.

• The median earnings of Black

women who worked year-round,

full-time approached parity with

their counterparts in the total

population in 1999.

Figure 11.

Median Earnings by Sex: 1999

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(For employed, full-time, year-round workers 16 and older. Data based on sample. 

For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Women

Men

Both sexes

Women

Men

Both sexes

All workers

Black workers

$25,589

$32,098

$37,057

$27,194

$27,264

$30,000

Black men who worked year-round, full-time earned more than comparable Black women.
The median income for

Black married-couple

families was the highest of

all Black family types.

• The median income of Black families ($33,300) was lower than

that of all families ($50,000).

• Black married-couple families

had an annual median income of

$50,700, more than double the

median income of Black families

maintained by women with no

husband present and 73 percent

higher than the median income

of Black families maintained by

men with no wife present. 

• In 1999, the median income for

Black married-couple families

($50,700) was nearly $7,000 less

than the median income for all

married-couple families

($57,300). 

14 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 12.

Median Family Income by Family Type: 1999

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Families classified by race of householder. Data based on sample. 

For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, 

and definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Male householder,

no spouse present

Female householder,

no spouse present

Married couple

Total

Male householder,

no spouse present

Female householder,

no spouse present

Married couple

Total

All families

Black families

$29,298

$50,046

$57,345

$25,458

$35,141

$33,255

$50,690

$20,631
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 15

A lower proportion of

Black men was in poverty

than Black women. 

• The percentage of Blacks in

poverty (25 percent) was twice

that of the total population 

(12 percent). 

• Twenty-three percent of the

Black male population and 

11 percent of all males lived

below the poverty thresholds 

in 1999.

• A higher proportion of the Black

female population than the total

female population was in

poverty in 1999: 27 percent

compared with 14 percent.

Nearly half of Black

occupied housing units

were owner occupied.

• In 2000, 54 percent of housing

units occupied by Black householders were rental units, compared with 34 percent of all

occupied housing units. 

Figure 13.

Poverty Rates: 1999

Note: Poverty status was determined for everyone except those in institutions, military

group quarters, or college dormitories, and unrelated individuals under 15 years.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent in poverty. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality 

protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see 

www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Female

Male

Both sexes

Female

Male

Both sexes

Total population

Black population

26.7

12.4

11.2

13.5

24.9

22.8

Figure 14.

Housing Tenure: 2000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.

(Percent distribution of occupied housing units. Black occupied units are based 

on the race of the householder. Data based on sample. For information on 

confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and 

definitions, see www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Black

Total

Owner

Renter

53.7

66.2 

33.8

46.3 

Occupied units
16 We the People: Blacks in the United States U.S. Census Bureau

ACCURACY OF THE

ESTIMATES

The data contained in this report

are based on people in the sample

of households that responded to

the Census 2000 long form.

Nationally, approximately 1 out of

every 6 housing units was included

in this sample. As a result, the

sample estimates may differ somewhat from the 100-percent figures

that would have been obtained if

all housing units, people within

those housing units, and people

living in group quarters had been

enumerated using the same questionnaires, instructions, enumerators, and so forth. The sample

estimates also differ from the values that would have been obtained

from different samples of housing

units, and hence of people living in

those housing units, and people

living in group quarters. The deviation of a sample estimate from

the average of all possible samples

is called the sampling error. 

In addition to the variability that

arises from sampling, both sample

data and 100-percent data are subject to nonsampling error.

Nonsampling error may be introduced during any of the various

complex operations used to collect

and process data. Such errors may

include: not enumerating every

household or every person in the

population universe, failing to

obtain all required information from

the respondents, obtaining incorrect

or inconsistent information, and

recording information incorrectly.

In addition, errors can occur during

the field review of the enumerators’

work, during clerical handling of

the census questionnaires, or

during the electronic processing of

the questionnaires.

While it is impossible to completely

eliminate error from an operation

as large and complex as the decennial census, the Census Bureau

attempts to control the sources of

such error during the data collection and processing operations.

The primary sources of error and

the programs instituted to control

error in Census 2000 are described

in detail in Summary File 4

Technical Documentation under

Chapter 8, “Accuracy of the Data,”

located at <www.census.gov/prod

/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf>. 

Nonsampling error may affect the

data in two ways: first, errors that

are introduced randomly will

increase the variability of the data

and, therefore, should be reflected

in the standard errors; and second,

errors that tend to be consistent in

one direction will bias both sample

and 100-percent data in that direction. For example, if respondents

consistently tend to underreport

their incomes, then the resulting

estimates of households or families by income category will tend

to be understated for the higherincome categories and overstated

for the lower-income categories.

Such biases are not reflected in the

standard errors.

All statements in this Census 2000

Special Report have undergone statistical testing, and all comparisons

are significant at the 90-percent

confidence level, unless otherwise

noted. The estimates in the figures and tables may vary from

actual values due to sampling and

nonsampling errors. As a result,

the estimates used to summarize

statistics for one population group

may not be statistically different

from estimates for another population group. Further information on

the accuracy of the data is located

at <www.census.gov/prod

/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf>. For further information on the computation and use of standard errors,

contact the Decennial Statistical

Studies Division at 301-763-4242.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Census 2000 Summary File 3

and Summary File 4 data are available from American FactFinder on

the Census Bureau’s Web site

<factfinder.census.gov>. For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error, sampling

error, and definitions, also see

<www.census.gov/prod/cen2000

/doc/sf4.pdf> or contact the

Customer Services Center at 

301-763-INFO (4636).

Information on population and

housing topics is presented in the

Census 2000 Brief series and the

Census 2000 Special Report series,

located on the Census Bureau’s

Web site at <www.census.gov

/population/www/cen2000

/briefs.html>. These series present information on race, Hispanic

origin, age, sex, household type,

housing tenure, and social, economic, and housing characteristics,

such as ancestry, income, and

housing costs.

For more information on race in

the United States, visit the U.S.

Census Bureau’s Internet site at

<www.census.gov/population

/www/socdemo/race.html>.

To find information about other

data products, including reports,

CD-ROMs, and DVDs, call the

Customer Services Center at 

301-763-INFO (4636).
U.S. Census Bureau We the People: Blacks in the United States 17

Table 2.

Selected Characteristics of the Black Population—Alone, in Combination With Non-Black

Races, and Total: 2000

(Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see

www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf4.pdf)

Characteristic

Number Percent

Alone

In

combination Total Alone

In

combination Total

Total Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,361,740 1,851,727 36,213,467 100.0 100.0 100.0

AGE

Under 18 years ............................................... 10,750,131 984,635 11,734,766 31.3 53.2 32.4

18 to 64 years ............................................... 20,796,550 807,204 21,603,754 60.5 43.6 59.7

65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,815,059 59,888 2,874,947 8.2 3.2 7.9

Median age (years) ............................................ 30.4 16.3 29.7 (X) (X) (X)

MARITAL STATUS

Population 15 years and over .............................. 25,317,533 971,741 26,289,274 100.0 100.0 100.0

Never married ................................................ 10,275,071 460,636 10,735,707 40.6 47.4 40.8

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,103,511 334,956 9,438,467 36.0 34.5 35.9

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,322,824 42,023 1,364,847 5.2 4.3 5.2

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,768,666 37,638 1,806,304 7.0 3.9 6.9

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,847,461 96,488 2,943,949 11.2 9.9 11.2

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

Households with a Black householder........................ 12,023,966 410,560 12,434,526 100.0 100.0 100.0

Family households . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,209,432 276,968 8,486,400 68.3 67.5 68.2

Married couple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,859,545 140,542 4,000,087 32.1 34.2 32.2

Male householder, no spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685,229 29,408 714,637 5.7 7.2 5.7

Female householder, no spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,664,658 107,018 3,771,676 30.5 26.1 30.3

Nonfamily households . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,814,534 133,592 3,948,126 31.7 32.5 31.8

NATIVITY AND CITIZENSHIP

Total population .......................................... 34,361,740 1,851,727 36,213,467 100.0 100.0 100.0

Native . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,261,875 1,530,326 33,792,201 93.9 82.6 93.3

Foreign born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,099,865 321,401 2,421,266 6.1 17.4 6.7

Naturalized. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934,367 123,883 1,058,250 2.7 6.7 2.9

Not a citzen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,165,498 197,518 1,363,016 3.4 10.7 3.8

FOREIGN BORN BY YEAR OF ENTRY

Foreign-born population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,099,865 321,401 2,421,266 100.0 100.0 100.0

Before 1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 560,992 69,802 630,794 26.7 21.7 26.1

1980 to 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670,039 100,707 770,746 31.9 31.3 31.8

1990 to 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868,834 150,892 1,019,726 41.4 46.9 42.1

FOREIGN BORN BY REGION OF BIRTH

Total.................................................... 2,099,865 321,401 2,421,266 100.0 100.0 100.0

Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512,628 58,393 571,021 24.4 18.2 23.6

Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,067 15,958 32,025 0.8 5.0 1.3

Caribbean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,250,611 170,382 1,420,993 59.6 53.0 58.7

Central and South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249,909 62,640 312,549 11.9 19.5 12.9

All other regions (Europe, North America, Oceania, and born at sea) . . . . . 70,650 14,028 84,678 3.4 4.4 3.5

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Population 25 years and over .............................. 19,858,095 659,271 20,517,366 100.0 100.0 100.0

Less than high school graduate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,507,694 150,870 5,658,564 27.7 22.9 27.6

High school graduate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,909,783 157,292 6,067,075 29.8 23.9 29.6

Some college or associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,609,349 215,291 5,824,640 28.2 32.7 28.4

Bachelor’s degree or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,831,269 135,818 2,967,087 14.3 20.6 14.5

LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION

Population 16 years and over ............................... 24,744,502 935,816 25,680,318 100.0 100.0 100.0

In civilian labor force ........................................... 14,905,895 720,383 15,626,278 60.2 77.0 60.8

OCCUPATION

Employed civilian population 16 years and over ............... 13,001,795 545,678 13,547,473 100.0 100.0 100.0

Management, professional, and related occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,281,151 147,519 3,428,670 25.2 27.0 25.3

Service occupations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,861,041 123,631 2,984,672 22.0 22.7 22.0

Sales and office occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,544,677 157,655 3,702,332 27.3 28.9 27.3

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,995 2,526 51,521 0.4 0.5 0.4

Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849,144 37,377 886,521 6.5 6.8 6.5

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations ............ 2,416,787 76,970 2,493,757 18.6 14.1 18.4

EARNINGS AND INCOME (in 1999)

Median earnings (dollars) for both sexes1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,264 27,353 27,267 (X) (X) (X)

Median income (dollars) for families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,255 35,309 33,323 (X) (X) (X)

POVERTY (in 1999)

Individuals for whom poverty status was determined2 . . . . . . . . . . . 32,714,224 1,791,734 34,505,958 100.0 100.0 100.0

Individuals below the poverty level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,146,146 389,031 8,535,177 24.9 21.7 24.7

HOUSING TENURE

Occupied housing units.................................... 11,977,309 405,535 12,382,844 100.0 100.0 100.0

Owner occupied. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,549,286 146,907 5,696,193 46.3 36.2 46.0

Renter occupied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,428,023 258,628 6,686,651 53.7 63.8 54.0

(X) Not applicable.

1

Based on full-time, year-round workers.

2

Poverty status was determined for everyone except individuals in institutions, military group quarters, or college dormitories, and individuals under age 15

unrelated to the householder.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 4.