Progress and Continuing Disparities Race and Ethnicity Population Trends and Policies

Measuring Race

Population Trends and PoliciesUnemployment

In 2000 the African American unemployment rate reached a historic low of 7.1%. It has been 9.9% or higher since January 2002.In 2000 the African American unemployment rate reached a historic low of 7.1%. It has been 9.9% or higher since January Latino / Hispanic unemployment rates also dropped from 8.0% in 1988 to 5.7% in 2000, but rose again.Latino / Hispanic unemployment rates also dropped from 8.0% in 1988 to 5.7% in 2000, but rose again. Unemployment Population Trends and Policies Source: Betsy Leondar-Wright, Meizhu Lui, Gloribell Mota, Dedrick Muhammad, and Mara Voukydis (2005). State of the Dream 2005: Disowned in the Ownership Society. Boston: United for a Fair Economy.

Population Trends and PoliciesIncome

Median Family Income by Race Black-white Difference Black White

Population Trends and Policies Black-White Difference in MFI by Family Type Married Female-headed

About half of the progress in the median income of people of color from 1996 to 2000 was wiped out in the following three years.About half of the progress in the median income of people of color from 1996 to 2000 was wiped out in the following three years. After slowly increasing from 55% of white income in 1988 to 65% in 2000, Black median income fell again to 62% in 2003.After slowly increasing from 55% of white income in 1988 to 65% in 2000, Black median income fell again to 62% in In 2004 for the first time in 15 years, the average Latino household had an income that is less than two- thirds that of the average white household.In 2004 for the first time in 15 years, the average Latino household had an income that is less than two- thirds that of the average white household. Income Population Trends and Policies Source: Betsy Leondar-Wright, Meizhu Lui, Gloribell Mota, Dedrick Muhammad, and Mara Voukydis (2005). State of the Dream 2005: Disowned in the Ownership Society. Boston: United for a Fair Economy.

The median income of black families as a percentage of non- Hispanic white median family income was about the same in 1997 as in 1967, at less than 60 percent.The median income of black families as a percentage of non- Hispanic white median family income was about the same in 1997 as in 1967, at less than 60 percent. Hispanic median family income has fallen in absolute terms (and relative to that of non-Hispanic whites) since 1972, in part due to the increasing representation of immigrants in the Hispanic population.Hispanic median family income has fallen in absolute terms (and relative to that of non-Hispanic whites) since 1972, in part due to the increasing representation of immigrants in the Hispanic population. The median family income of Japanese Americans exceedsthat of non-Hispanic white familiesThe median family income of Japanese Americans exceedsthat of non-Hispanic white families The income of Cambodian American families is lower than that of black families.The income of Cambodian American families is lower than that of black families. The median family income of American Indians was lower than that of blacks.The median family income of American Indians was lower than that of blacks. Income Population Trends and Policies

Poverty

Poverty

Throughout the 1990s, poverty rates fell across the board, declining fastest for African Americans and Latinos.Throughout the 1990s, poverty rates fell across the board, declining fastest for African Americans and Latinos. But since 2000, more than one third of that progress in reducing poverty among African-American families has been erased, as 300,000 African- American families fell below the poverty line from 2000 to 2003.But since 2000, more than one third of that progress in reducing poverty among African-American families has been erased, as 300,000 African- American families fell below the poverty line from 2000 to Poverty Population Trends and Policies Source: Betsy Leondar-Wright, Meizhu Lui, Gloribell Mota, Dedrick Muhammad, and Mara Voukydis (2005). State of the Dream 2005: Disowned in the Ownership Society. Boston: United for a Fair Economy.

Population Trends and PoliciesEducation

Education

Education

Wealth

Wealth

Wealth

Although progress has been made in other areas like education, home ownership, and income, the black/white difference in wealth has changed very little since the 1960s.Although progress has been made in other areas like education, home ownership, and income, the black/white difference in wealth has changed very little since the 1960s. Comparing families with the same income levels, the net worth of white families on average is two times larger than that of black families.Comparing families with the same income levels, the net worth of white families on average is two times larger than that of black families. The black/white difference in net worth cannot be explained by other factors, like education, earnings rates, savings rates.The black/white difference in net worth cannot be explained by other factors, like education, earnings rates, savings rates. The black/white difference in net worth is almost completely a function of differences in home equity.The black/white difference in net worth is almost completely a function of differences in home equity. However, or black households’ nearly half of their net worth was comprised of home equity, while the comparable figure for whites was just one quarter.However, or black households’ nearly half of their net worth was comprised of home equity, while the comparable figure for whites was just one quarter. Wealth Population Trends and Policies

Homeownership

Homeownership

Homeownership

Homeownership

Homeownership

The total loss of wealth for people of color is estimated to be between $164 billion and $213 billion for subprime loans taken during the past eight years.The total loss of wealth for people of color is estimated to be between $164 billion and $213 billion for subprime loans taken during the past eight years. This probably represents the greatest loss of wealth for people of color in US history.This probably represents the greatest loss of wealth for people of color in US history. Spillover effect of the subprime crisis affects whole communities negatively, in terms of abandoned houses, increased crime, devaluation of neighboring houses, and erosion of the tax base, causing revenue shortfalls that mandate service cuts.Spillover effect of the subprime crisis affects whole communities negatively, in terms of abandoned houses, increased crime, devaluation of neighboring houses, and erosion of the tax base, causing revenue shortfalls that mandate service cuts. Subprime Loans Population Trends and Policies Source: Amaad Rivera, Brenda Cotto-Escalera, Anisha Desai, Jeannette Huezo, Dedrick Muhammad (2008). Foreclosed: State of the Dream Boston: United for a Fair Economy.

Population Trends and PoliciesInheritance

Whites are more likely than people of color to have parents who give them assets.Whites are more likely than people of color to have parents who give them assets. In interviewing Black and white families for his book,The Hidden Costs of Being African American, Thomas Shapiro found that 28% of white families receive inheritances, while only 7.7% of Black families do. The sizes of the inheritancesIn interviewing Black and white families for his book,The Hidden Costs of Being African American, Thomas Shapiro found that 28% of white families receive inheritances, while only 7.7% of Black families do. The sizes of the inheritances are also widely divergent: in Shapiro’s survey, the parental median net worth for black families was $47,000, compared to $198,700 for white families.are also widely divergent: in Shapiro’s survey, the parental median net worth for black families was $47,000, compared to $198,700 for white families. About one-third of baby boomer whites in 1989 were due to receive future inheritances worth more than $34,000, while fewer than one in twenty Blacks would receive a similar endowment.About one-third of baby boomer whites in 1989 were due to receive future inheritances worth more than $34,000, while fewer than one in twenty Blacks would receive a similar endowment. Inheritance Population Trends and Policies

Half of white families, but only one fifth of Black families, have parents who can help them buy a home.Half of white families, but only one fifth of Black families, have parents who can help them buy a home. According to the Federal Reserve, the average inheritance plus financial gifts given to a white family in 2001 was $20,685, which is enough for a down payment.According to the Federal Reserve, the average inheritance plus financial gifts given to a white family in 2001 was $20,685, which is enough for a down payment. That’s ten times more than the mean African American legacy of about $2,000. Latinos passed on only $385 to their children.That’s ten times more than the mean African American legacy of about $2,000. Latinos passed on only $385 to their children. Down Payment Assistance Population Trends and Policies

Retirement