- Homicide Rate: In 2022, Black individuals faced a homicide rate of 29.0 per 100,000 (Violence Policy Center), nearly four times the national average, comprising 54.1% of victims despite being 13.6% of the population.
- Poverty Rate: In 2019, the Black poverty rate was 18.8%, over twice the 7.3% rate for Whites (U.S. Census Bureau).
- Academic Performance (Grades 1-12): According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, Black students consistently underperform compared to White students across grades 1-12. In 2022, 4th-grade Black students scored an average of 217 in math versus 252 for White students (a 35-point gap, roughly 1.5 grade levels), and 199 in reading versus 227 (a 28-point gap). By 8th grade, the math gap was 279 versus 313 (34 points), and reading was 241 versus 270 (29 points). At 12th grade, only 7% of Black students scored proficient or above in math compared to 32% of White students, and in reading, 17% versus 46% (NAEP, 2022).
- Incarceration Rate: In 2019, Black incarceration was 600 per 100,000 in jails and 1,096 per 100,000 in prisons, over five times the White rate (Bureau of Justice Statistics).
