By the numbers: Black History Month

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 to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African-American History Month.

Note: The reference to the black population in this publication is to single-race black people (“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).

Population

46.3 million The black population, either alone or in combination with one or more other races, on July 1, 2015, up about 1.3 percent from July 1, 2014. 74.5 million The projected black population, either alone or in combination, of the United States (including those of more than one race) on July 1, 2060. On that date, according to the projection, the black population would constitute 17.9 percent of the nation’s total population. 3.8 million The black population in New York on July 1, 2015; the largest of any state or equivalent. Texas had the largest numeric increase since July 1, 2014 (94,000). The District of Columbia had the highest percentage (50.0 percent), followed by Mississippi (38.3 percent). 1.3 million The black population in Cook County, Ill. (Chicago), in 2015; the largest of any county. Harris County, Texas, had the largest numeric increase since 2014 (22,200) and Claiborne County, Miss.,