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National Black (African American) History Month: February 2024
National Black (African American) History Month: February 2024
Press Release Number CB24-FF.01
Historian Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week in 1926 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). Congress expanded it to National Black History Month 50 years later during the nation’s bicentennial celebration at which time then-President Gerald Ford urged the country to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy.
Did You Know?
50,087,750
The Black or African American alone or in combination population in the United States in 2022.
90.1%
The percentage of African Americans age 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2022.
34.4%
The percentage of the employed Black population age 16 and older working in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2022.
161,031
The number of Black-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2021.
2.0 million
The number of Black civilian veterans in the United States nationwide in 2022.
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Income, Poverty and Health Insurance
More Stats
Refer to the detailed profile on the Black population from the 2021 American Community Survey. Statistics include:
- Families and children.
- Marital status.
- Grandparents living with grandchildren.
- Jobs.
- Labor force participation.
- Occupation.
- Commuting.
- Housing.
Related News Products
Past Facts for Features
Stats for Stories
Graphics
- Recent Black High School Attainment On Par With National Average (1/25/2022)
- High School Education Gap Narrows Among the Young (1/7/2021)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1/12/2023)
- Black Education on the Rise (1/12/2023)
The following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:
Black (African American) History Month (February)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act (July 26)
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day/Holiday Season (November-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.
Profile America's Facts for Features provides statistics related to observances and holidays not covered by Stats for Stories. For observances not listed below, visit our Stats for Stories web page.
Profile America's Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting the Census Bureau's newsworthy statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays, and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their respective audiences.
Page Last Revised - January 9, 2024
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