Despite the economic hardships many African-Americans face, there’s still millions of Blacks who are doing pretty good for themselves.
According to a recent article on Forbes.com, Blacks remain in more dire positions than whites. In December, the unemployment rate for Blacks was 10.4%, which was more than twice for whites. Also, an African-American’s median household income in 2013 was $34,598. This number hasn’t changed much on any Census Bureau reports since 1967. But, although Blacks continue to struggle, there are a few positive changes happening throughout communities.
Population, home ownership, entrepreneurship, and more have factored in on which cities are better off for African-Americans. Leading the pack, however, are cities such as Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, and Washington, D.C..
Here’s why Atlanta ranked number one on the list…
At the top of our list is Atlanta, long hailed as the unofficial capital of black America. The city, which in the 1960s advertised itself as “the city too busy to hate,” has long lured ambitious African-Americans. With its well-established religious and educational institutions, notably Spelman and Morehouse, which are ranked first and third, respectively, by US News among the nation’s historically black colleges, the area has arguably the strongest infrastructure for African-American advancement in the country. The region’s strong music and art scene has also made it an “epicenter for black glitterati” and culture.
The superlatives extend well beyond glamour to the basics of everyday life. Some 46.9% the metro area’s black population owned their own homes as of 2013, well above the 38% major metro average for African-Americans. Atlanta’s African-Americans have a median household income of $41,800, also considerably above the major metro average, while their rate of self-employment, 17.1%, is second only to New Orleans.
Out of the metropolitan cities listed, the best were majority in the South. What once was a region Blacks were eager to escape from, is now the most desirable for work, play, and to raise a family. However, there are other major cities that African-Americans find a hard time trying to survive in.
Below are some cities that ranked as Best & Worst:
Best Cities for Blacks Economically
Atlanta, Georgia
Raleigh, North Carolina
Washington, D.C.
Baltimore, Maryland
Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virginia
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
Richmond, Virginia
San Antonio, Texas
Houston, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Worst Cities for Blacks Economically
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
San Francisco, California
Oakland, California
Los Angeles, California
Seattle, Washington
Metropolitan cities that are not listed, fell mid-range and are considered “either or” in economic projections.
