african-american-south

Community Snapshot

Counties in the African American South stretch in a belt that runs from Virginia down through Texas.

Counties in the African American South are home to 15.8 million people. With a median household income of just $44,500, the African American South is the least wealthy of the 15 county types in the American Communities Project (ACP). The percentage of people with a college degree, 22.4%, is 10% lower than the national average. At 7%, unemployment is roughly 1 point lower in these communities than in the rest of the nation. The African American South also experiences elevated rates of children in poverty, 29% compared to the national average of 16%.

Median household income

$44,500 average median

Vol. 3 2020-2021

Deaths of Despair Across America

The American Communities Project is undertaking a 30-month study of Deaths of Despair in its 15 community types.

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