Black Population Surged During '90s: U.S. Census

Jet, August 27, 2001

Since 1990 the Black population grew nearly three times faster (16%) than the rest of the nation (13%), according to the U.S. Census Bureau's report on national and regional growth and distribution patterns.

The report also stated that the White population grew only 6 percent.

Last year, 211 million people reported themselves as "White alone" which accounted for 75% of the U.S. population. Up to 35 million people--12% of the population-reported themselves as "Black only."

About 2 million people reportedly said they were Black and at least one other race. Of that group, 45% of them were a combination of Black and White.

The majority of Blacks reside in the South, which has seen an increase of 3 million people since 1990. While the majority of Whites live in the South and Midwest, according to the report.

New York City has the largest number of both Whites and Blacks--4 million and 2 million respectively.

Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston have White populations of between 1 million and 2 million people.

After New York, Chicago has the largest number of Blacks-1.3 million-followed by Detroit with 775,000 and Philadelphia with 655,000.

Despite a more diverse American landscape, Whites remain the racial majority, accounting for 77% of the total population, according to the report.