In 2023, 15.4 percent of Black families were living below the poverty line in the United States. Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing, and shelter.
Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023
Characteristic
Percentage of poor black families
2023
15.4%
2022
14.3%
2021
17.4%
2020
16.8%
2019
16.3%
2018
17.7%
2017
18.9%
2016
19%
2015
21.1%
2014
22.9%
2013
22.4%
2012
23.7%
2011
24.2%
2010
24.1%
2009
22.7%
2008
22%
2007
22.1%
2006
21.6%
2005
22.1%
2004
22.8%
2003
22.3%
2002
21.5%
2001
20.7%
2000
19.3%
1999
21.8%
1998
23.4%
1997
23.6%
1996
26.1%
1995
26.4%
1994
27.3%
1993
31.3%
1992
31.1%
1991
30.4%
1990
29.3%
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The Census Bureau defines a family as follows: "A family is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family."
Black alone - with and without children under 18 years.
Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.
Further information regarding the poverty threshold can be accessed here.
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US Census Bureau. (September 16, 2024). Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/
US Census Bureau. "Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023." Chart. September 16, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/
US Census Bureau. (2024). Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/
US Census Bureau. "Percentage of Black Families in The United States Who Live below The Poverty Level from 1990 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Sep 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/
US Census Bureau, Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Percentage of Black families in the United States who live below the poverty level from 1990 to 2023 [Graph], US Census Bureau, September 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/205059/percentage-of-poor-black-families-in-the-us/
