The following information and figures come from the U.S. Census [1].

To commemorate the contributions 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 into Black History Month. In 2000, President Clinton proclaimed February as National African American History Month.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

40.2 million
As of July 1, 2006, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.4% of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of half a million residents from one year earlier.

61.4 million
The projected single-race black population of the United States for July 1, 2050. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 14.6% of the nation's total population.

18
Number of states with an estimated black population on July 1, 2006, of at least 1 million. New York, with 3.5 million blacks, led the way. The 17 other states on the list were Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

37%
Percentage of Mississippi's population that is black, highest of any state. Blacks also make up more than a quarter of the population in Louisiana (32%), Georgia (30%), Maryland (30%), South Carolina (29%) and Alabama (27%). They comprise 57% of the population in the District of Columbia.

135,000
The increase in Texas' black population between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006, which led all states. Georgia (101,000), Florida (86,000) and North Carolina (41,000) also recorded large increases.

22
Number of states in which blacks are the largest minority group. These states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. (Note: Minorities are part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white.)

1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2006. Cook led all the nation's counties in the number of people of this racial category. Los Angeles County, Calif., also topped the 1 million mark. Harris County, Texas, had the largest numerical increase in the black population between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006 (52,000), followed by East Baton Rouge Parish, La. (19,000).

Among counties with total populations of at least 10,000, all 50 with the highest percentage black population were in the South. Claiborne County, Miss., which was 85% black, led the country.

31%
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2006. At the other end of the spectrum, 8% of the black population was 65 and older.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, the estimates in this section refer to the population that is either single-race black or black in combination with one or more other races.

SERVING OUR NATION

2.4 million
Number of black military veterans in the United States in 2006. More military veterans are black than any other minority group. Data pertain to single-race blacks.

EDUCATION

81%
Among blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2006.

18%
Percentage of blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2006.

1.3 million
Among blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2006 (e.g., master's, doctorate, medical or law). In 1996, 683,000 blacks had this level of education.

2.3 million
Number of black college students in fall 2005. This was an increase of roughly 1 million from 15 years earlier.

Note: 2005 and 2006 data in this section pertain to single-race blacks.

BUSINESSES

$88.6 billion
Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled nearly 1.2 million in 2002. Black-owned firms accounted for 5% of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.

129,329
The number of black-owned firms in New York in 2002, which led all states. New York City alone had 98,080 such firms, which led all cities.

10,716
The number of black-owned firms operating in 2002 with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1% of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55 percent of their total receipts, or $49 billion.

969
The number of black-owned firms with 100 or more employees in 2002. Firms of this size accounted for 24% of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.

INCOME, POVERTY and HEALTH INSURANCE

$31,969
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2006. In constant dollars, this is up from $26,468 in 1986.

$34,770 & $30,352
The 2006 median earnings of single-race black men and women, respectively, 15 and older who worked full time, year-round.

24.3%
Poverty rate in 2006 for single-race blacks. This rate was down from 31.1 percent in 1986.

20.5%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2006, up from 19 percent in 2005.

FAMILIES and CHILDREN
Note: The first two statements in this section pertain to households with a householder who is single-race black.

64%
Percentage of black households that contained a family. There were 8.4 million black family households.

45%
Nationally, the percentage of black families containing a married-couple family.

1.2 million
Number of single-race black grandparents living with their own grandchildren younger than 18. Of this number, 51% were also responsible for their care.

HOMEOWNERSHIP - THE AMERICAN DREAM

46%
Nationally, the percentage of black households that lived in owner-occupied homes. The rate was higher in certain states, such as Mississippi, where it reached 58%.

Note: Data in this section pertain to households with a householder who is single-race black.

JOBS

26%
The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations. There are 44,900 black physicians and surgeons, 80,000 postsecondary teachers, 48,300 lawyers, and 52,400 chief executives.

Census.gov 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.