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National Black (African American) History Month: February 2023
National Black (African American) History Month: February 2023
Press Release Number CB23-FF.01
To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). That week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National Black History Month.
The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.
Did You Know?
49,586,352
The Black or African American alone or in combination population in the United States in 2021.
90.3%
The percentage of African Americans ages 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher in 2021.
33.7%
The percentage of the employed Black population age 16 and older working in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2021.
140,918
The number of Black-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2020.
2.0 million
The number of Black civilian military veterans in the United States nationwide in 2021.
More on Population Size
Voting Rights
Income, Poverty and Health Insurance
More Stats
See a 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
- National African American (Black) History Month: February 2022.
- National African American (Black) History Month: February 2021.
- National African American (Black) History Month: February 2020.
- National African American (Black) History Month: February 2019.
- National African American (Black) History Month: February 2018.
Stats for Stories
Graphics
- Recent Black High School Attainment On Par With National Average (1/25/2022)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (1/12/2023)
- Black Education on the Rise (1/12/2023)
- High School Education Gap Narrows Among the Young (1/7/2021)
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 - April 25, 2023
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