Our population statistics cover age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, migration, ancestry, language use, veterans, as well as population estimates and projections.
The U.S. Census Bureau is the official source of statistical data tracking the national economy.
Business is a large part of America's diverse economy. This section provides key information about businesses in your community.
This section provides information on a range of educational topics, from educational attainment and school enrollment to school districts, costs and financing.
Prepare for Emergencies, Natural and Man-made Disasters using U.S. Census Bureau's data and statistics
We measure the state of the nation's workforce, including employment and unemployment levels, weeks and hours worked, occupations, and commuting.
Our statistics highlight trends in household and family composition, describe characteristics of the residents of housing units, and show how they are related.
Health statistics on insurance coverage, disability, fertility and other health issues are increasingly important in measuring the nation’s overall well-being.
We measure the housing and construction industry, track homeownership rates, and produce statistics on the physical and financial characteristics of our homes.
Income is the gauge many use to determine the well-being of the U.S. population. Survey and census questions cover poverty, income, and wealth.
The U.S. Census Bureau is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and regulations governing the reporting of exports from the U.S.
The U.S. Census Bureau provides data for the Federal, state and local governments as well as voting, redistricting, apportionment and congressional affairs.
Geography is central to the work of the Bureau, providing the framework for survey design, sample selection, data collection, tabulation, and dissemination.
Find resources on how to use geographic data and products with statistical data, educational blog postings, and presentations.
The Geographic Support System Initiative will integrate improved address coverage, spatial feature updates, and enhanced quality assessment and measurement.
Work with interactive mapping tools from across the Census Bureau.
Find geographic data and products such as Shapefiles, KMLs, TIGERweb, boundary files, geographic relationship files, and reference and thematic maps.
Metropolitan and micropolitan areas are geographic entities used by Federal statistical agencies in collecting, tabulating, and publishing Federal statistics.
Find information about specific partnership programs and learn more about our partnerships with other organizations.
Definitions of geographic terms, why geographic areas are defined, and how the Census Bureau defines geographic areas.
We conduct research on geographic topics such as how to define geographic areas and how geography changes over time.
Official audio files from the Census Bureau, including "Profile America," a daily series of bite-sized statistics, placing current data in a historical context.
Stock photos that illustrate official Census Bureau operations and activities.
Read briefs and reports from Census Bureau experts.
Watch Census Bureau vignettes, testimonials, and video files.
Explore Census data with infographics and visualizations covering a broad range of topics.
Read research analyses from Census Bureau experts.
Find information using interactive applications to get statistics from multiple surveys.
Developer portal to access services and documentation for the Census Bureau's APIs.
Explore Census Bureau data on your mobile device with interactive tools.
Find a multitude of DVDs, CDs and publications in print by topic.
These external sites provide more data.
The Census Bureau reuses data from other agencies to cut the cost of data collection and to reduce the burden on people who respond to our censuses and surveys.
Download extraction tools to help you get the in-depth data you need.
Learn more about our data from this collection of e-tutorials, presentations, webinars and other training materials. Sign up for training sessions.
Explore Census data with infographics and visualizations covering a broad range of topics.
If you have received a survey, this site will help you verify that the survey came from us, understand and complete the form, and know how we protect your data.
The U.S. Census Bureau is researching modern and cost-efficient methods for the population to exercise its civic obligation to be counted in the 2020 Census.
Tests in 2017 will continue research on modern and cost-efficient methods to conduct the 2020 Census.
The 2018 End-to-End Census Test will take place in Pierce County, Wash.; Providence County, R.I.; and the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, W.Va., area.
National and state population totals from the 2010 Census were released on December 21, 2010
The American Community Survey is the premier source for information about America's changing population, housing and workforce.
The AHS is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Economic Census is the U.S. government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy.
Basic enumerations of population, housing units, group quarters and transitory locations conducted by the Census Bureau at the request of a governmental unit.
Collects data and measures change for many topics including: economic well-being, family dynamics, education, assets, health insurance, and childcare.
Connect with the U.S. Census Bureau using social media.
Find interesting and quirky statistics regarding national celebrations and major events.
See what's coming up in releases and reports.
Press Kits package information about Census Bureau topics, including media contacts, press releases and fact sheets, story ideas and multimedia resources.
Information about the U.S. Census Bureau.
Information about what we do at the U.S. Census Bureau.
Our researchers explore innovative ways to conduct surveys, increase respondent participation, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.
Learn about other opportunities to collaborate with us.
Explore the rich historical background of an organization with roots almost as old as the nation.
Explore prospective positions available at the U.S. Census Bureau.
Information about the current field vacancies available at the U.S. Census Bureau Regional Offices.
The Census Bureau reuses data from other agencies to cut the cost of data collection and to reduce the burden on people who respond to our censuses and surveys.
FFF: Black (African-American) History Month: February 2016
To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.
Note: The reference to the black population in this publication is to single-race blacks (“black alone”) except in the first section on “Population.” In that section the reference is to black alone or in combination with other races; a reference to respondents who said they were one race (black) or more than one race (black plus other races).
The number of blacks, either alone or in combination with one or more other races, on July 1, 2014, up 1.3 percent from July 1, 2013.
Source: 2014 Population Estimates
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPSR5H?slice=Year~est72014>
The projected black, either alone or in combination, population of the United States (including those of more than one race) for July 1, 2060. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 17.9 percent of the nation’s total population.
Source: 2014 Population Projections, Table 10
<http://www.census.gov/population/projections/data/national/2014/summarytables.html>
The black population in New York, which led all states as of July 1, 2014. Texas had the largest numeric increase since 2013 (88,000). The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of blacks (50.6 percent), followed by Mississippi (38.2 percent).
Source: 2014 Population Estimates
<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html>
Cook County, Ill. (Chicago) had the largest black population of any county in 2014 (1.3 million), and Harris, Texas (Houston) had the largest numeric increase since 2014 (21,000). Holmes, Miss., was the county with the highest percentage of blacks in the nation (82.5 percent).
Source: 2014 Population Estimates
<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html>
The number of black-owned firms nationally in 2012, up from 1.9 million or 34.5 percent from 2007.
Source: 2012 Survey of Business Owners-Black or African American Owned Firms: 2012
<http://census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-209.html>
The number of African-American/black-owned firms in “other services” — which includes repair and maintenance (automotive, consumer electronics, etc.) and personal/laundry services (hair/nail salons, dry cleaning, pet care) — the largest sector of black-owned businesses. The “other services” sector is followed by health care and social assistance (492,983 black-owned firms); administrative, support, waste management and remediation (294,977); professional, scientific and technical support (206,942); and transportation and warehousing (184,777).
Source: 2012 Survey of Business Owners-Black or African American Owned Firms: 2012
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/SBO/2012/00CSA01/0100000US>
Number of black military veterans in the United States in 2014.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/C21001B>
The percentage of blacks 25 and over with a high school diploma or higher in 2014.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0201//popgroup~004>
The percentage of blacks 25 and over who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2014.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0201//popgroup~004>
Among blacks 25 and over, the number who had an advanced degree in 2014.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B15002B>
Number of blacks enrolled in undergraduate college in 2014 compared with 2.8 million in 2009, a 5.3 percent increase.
Source: 2009 and 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B14007B>
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/09_1YR/B14007B>
The number of blacks who voted in the 2012 presidential election. In comparison to the 2008 election, about 1.7 million additional black voters reported going to the polls in 2012.
Source: The Diversifying Electorate — Voting Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin 2012
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-568.pdf>
Percent of blacks who voted in the 2012 presidential election, higher than the 64.1 percent of non-Hispanic whites who did so. This marks the first time that blacks have voted at a higher rate than whites since the Census Bureau started publishing statistics on voting by the eligible citizen population in 1996.
Source: The Diversifying Electorate — Voting Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin 2012
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-568.pdf>
The annual median income of black households in 2014, compared with the nation at $53,657.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2014
<http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p60-252.pdf>
Poverty rate in 2014 for blacks, while nationally it was 14.8 percent.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2014
<http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p60-252.pdf>
Percentage of blacks that were covered by health insurance during all or part of 2014. Nationally, 89.6 percent of all races were covered by health insurance.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2014
<http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p60-253.pdf>
Among households with a black householder, the percentage that contained a family in 2014. There were 9.9 million black family households.
Source: 2014 Current Population Survey, Families and Living Arrangements, Table H1
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2014H.html>
Among families with black householders, the percentage that were married couples in 2014.
Source: 2014 Current Population Survey, Families and Living Arrangements, Table H1
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2014H.html>
Number of black grandparents who lived with their own grandchildren younger than 18 in 2014. Of this number, 44.0 percent were also responsible for their care.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B10051B>
The percentage of civilian employed blacks 16 and over who worked in management, business, science and arts occupations, while 36.9 percent of the total civilian employed population worked in these occupations.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0201//popgroup~004>
<http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0201>
The following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:
| African-American History Month (February) Super Bowl Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) Women's History Month (March) Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/ St. Patrick's Day (March 17) Earth Day (April 22) Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) Older Americans Month (May) Mother's Day Hurricane Season Begins (June 1) Father's Day |
The Fourth of July (July 4) Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act (July 26) Back to School (August) Labor Day Grandparents Day Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) Unmarried and Single Americans Week Halloween (Oct. 31) American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November) Veterans Day (Nov. 11) Thanksgiving Day The Holiday Season (December) |
Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; or e-mail: pio@census.gov.
Some content on this site is available in several different electronic formats. Some of the files may require a plug-in or additional software to view. Please visit the Download Plug-In page for a full list.
You are about to leave this web site for a destination outside of the Federal Government. You may wish to review each privacy notice since their information collection practices may differ from ours. In addition, our linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsement of any products or services.
Click OK if you wish to continue to the web site, otherwise click cancel to return to our site.
