Christine Tamir

Key statistics and data about the demographic, geographic and economic characteristics of the U.S. Black population.

Many Black Americans say they learn about their ancestors and U.S. Black history from family.

The number of Black immigrants living in the country reached 4.6 million in 2019, up from roughly 800,000 in 1980.

Immigrants – particularly those from African nations – are a growing share of the U.S. Black population.

The Black population in the U.S. is diverse and growing. Our analysis explores the demographic characteristics of this population in 2019.

The U.S. Black population is growing. At the same time, how Black people self-identify is changing, with increasing shares considering themselves multiracial or Hispanic.

This statistical profile of the foreign-born population in the 50 states and the District of Columbia is based on Pew Research Center tabulations of the Census Bureau’s 2010 and 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 1960-2000 decennial censuses.

As of 2018, 19% of the national immigrant population lives in the top five counties: Los Angeles County, California; Miami-Dade County, Florida; Harris County, Texas; Cook County, Illinois; and Queens County, New York.

There were a record 44.8 million immigrants living in the U.S. in 2018, making up 13.7% of the nation’s population. This represents a more than fourfold increase since 1960.

There were a record 44.8 million immigrants living in the U.S. in 2018, making up 13.7% of the nation’s population.