While
African-Americans make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population,
they represent 22 percent of those experiencing poverty and hunger.
Almost
50 percent of all black children younger than 6 live in poverty—more
than three times the proportion of young white children.
The
median income of African-American households is nearly $20,000 less
than general households, which makes African-American households
twice as likely to experience poverty. This number is even higher for
female-headed households, who are almost three times as likely to
live below the poverty line.
Unemployment
and low wages, lack of access to healthy and affordable food, poor
schools, and higher incarceration rates are just a few of the factors
that contribute to this problem. 10.4 percent
of African-Americans are unemployed, not counting part-time workers
seeking full-time work or those returning from incarceration.
African-Americans
are more likely to have poor credit histories than whites with
similar incomes. Poor credit can prevent people from securing a job,
place to live, or reliable car since many low-wage employers, housing
units, and companies consider credit scores when hiring and accepting
applicants. African-Americans have lower incomes and higher debt
levels. In addition, predatory lenders that charge higher interest
rates concentrate in low-income communities, which increases the
probability of falling into debt. African-Americans spend more than
half their incomes repaying debts. Due to higher interest rates on
loans, African-Americans were 80 percent more likely to lose their
homes during the Great Recession.
About 40 percent
of African-American students (3.2 million children) attend
high-poverty schools—six times the rate of whites. African-American
college students have the highest level of student debt ($29,344 on
average) of any racial group.
Only 8 percent
of African-Americans live in areas with a supermarket, compared to 31
percent of whites. As a result, African-Americans are more than four
times as likely as whites to face what the USDA calls “very low
food insecurity. Lack of nutritious food causes serious medical
conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Healthcare expenses lead
to higher debt levels and worsen financial stress.
• 55 percent
of African-Americans have out-of-pocket medical costs4 on credit
cards because they cannot pay in full.
• 34 percent
of African-Americans did not see a doctor when ill for financial
reasons.
African-Americans
are more likely than others charged with similar offenses to be
incarcerated. Soaring incarceration rates deplete community resources
and money. African-Americans are seven times as likely to be
incarcerated as whites who commit the same offenses. The family of
someone in prison owes on average more than $13,000 in court costs
alone.
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