The 10 US cities where black Americans fare best – and worst – economically
Newly compiled data revealed the cities across the United States where black Americans fare the best and the worst economically.
Across 133 of the nation’s largest cities, the study compared factors such as median household incomes for black residents, along with percentages of that population who held a bachelor’s degree, owned homes, and were actively a part of the workforce.
The study found that black Americans were the most economically secure in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where the demographic’s poverty rate was the lowest—eight percent—out of all other cities in the study.
Black residents fared the worst in Cincinnati, Ohio, where their median household income was just $24,359, according to data compiled by SmartAsset.
The study found black Americans did the best in cities with populations under 500,000—the average population of all top ten cities was about 260,000.
Below are the top ten cities where black Americans fare economically.
1. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Located in the middle of Tennessee, just southeast of Nashville, the city has a population of about 152,769.
One of the city’s largest employees is the car company Nissan.
The data found the median income for black residents was $94,972. Forty percent of the black population held bachelor’s degrees, 62 percent were homeowners, and 78 percent were actively involved in the labor force.
Located in the middle of Tennessee, just southeast of Nashville, Murfreesboro was found to be the best city for black residents to live economically.
2. Enterprise, Nevada
Sitting within view of Las Vegas, Enterprise has a population of about 221,831.
The region’s casino industry provides a large number of jobs in the city, and the technology company Switch is headquartered there.
Enterprise’s black residents had a median household income of $84,023, 36.5 percent held bachelor’s degrees, 56 percent were homeowners, and 73 percent were employed.
Sitting within view of Las Vegas, Enterprise has a population of about 221,831. It came in at number two in the study
3. Chesapeake, Virginia
Sitting at nearly the southeastern-most corner of Virginia, Chesapeake has a population of 249,422.
The Chesapeake Medical Center is a large employer in the city, as is Walmart. There are also two naval bases.
The median household income for black residents was $81,031, 36 percent held bachelor’s degrees, 56 percent were homeowners, and 67 percent were in the workforce.
Chesapeake, Virginia, was found to be the third best city for black residents to thrive in.
4. Pembroke Pines, Florida
Just north of Miami, Pembroke Pines has a population of 171,178.
The city is a popular place for many people who hold jobs in Miami.
For black residents, the median household income was $90,525, 30 percent held bachelor’s degrees, 56 percent were homeowners, and 67 percent were in the workforce.
Data found that Pembroke Pines, Florida, was the fifth best city for black residents to thrive in
5. Aurora, Illinois
The middle-American city has a population of 180,542 people.
Located just outside of Chicago, the city has a long history of being a hub for regional manufacturing.
Data found the median household income for black residents was $55,517. Thirty percent of residents held a bachelor’s degree, 57 percent were homeowners, and 69 percent were in the labor force.
Aurora, Illinois, was found to be the fifth best city for black residents economically.
6. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Also in southeast Virginia, the city has a population of about 457,672.
It is home to a number of corporate headquarters, has a large US military presence, and is a hub for regional tourism.
Median household incomes were $60,185, 30 percent of black residents held a bachelor’s degree, 43 percent were homeowners, and 73 percent were in the workforce.
Virginia Beach, Virginia. The city is a hub for the tourism industry in the region.
7. Chandler, Arizona
A suburb city of Phoenix, Chandler has a population of 275,987.
Computer component manufacturer Intel has a large presence in the Arizona city, as do a number of major banks.
The data showed black residents had a median income of $86,648, that 45 percent held a bachelor’s degree, 36 percent were homeowners, and 74 percent were a part of the labor force.
Chandler, Arizona. The city is located just outside of Phoenix
8. Grand Prairie, Texas
Sitting right in the middle of Forth Worth and Dallas, Grand Prairie’s residents find work across the two major cities. It has a population of 196,100.
Data found a median income among black residents of $62,923, that 37 percent had bachelor’s degrees, 38 percent were homeowners, and 72 percent were in the workforce.
9. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Almost directly in the center of Colorado, the city has a population of 478,961.
Its economy is largely fueled by a strong presence of US military bases and organizations. A number of defense contractors including Boeing and Lockheed Martin have large presences there.
The city’s black population had a median household income of $57,565.
About 32 percent of black residents had bachelor’s degrees, 44 percent were homeowners, and 71 percent were a part of the workforce.
Colorado Springs, Colorado. A number of defense contractors including Boeing and Lockheed Martin have large presences there
10. Elk Grove, California
Just south of Sacramento, Elk Grove has a population of 176,124.
The data showed a median household income among black residents of $89,054.
Some 33 percent of the population held bachelor’s degrees, and 49 percent were homeowners, and 64 percent were in the labor force.
Homes being built in Elk Grove, California. The city has a population of 176,124.
At the very bottom of the study, in Cincinnati, just 14 percent of the black population held a bachelor’s degree, only 23 percent were homeowners, and nearly half – 44 percent – of the population was not a part of the workforce.
Faring slightly better was Syracuse, New York, where the median household income was $30,648, only 15 percent held a bachelor’s degree, 23 percent were homeowners, and 56 percent were in the labor force.
Following those cities at the rear were Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Akron, Ohio; Mobile, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada; and San Bernardino, Calif.
Virginia had two cities in the top ten, while Ohio had two cities in the bottom ten.
Cincinnati, Ohio, was determined to be the worst city in the country for black residents economically.
Syracuse, New York, where the median household income was $30,648
Cleveland, Ohio. The city and its state were found to be one of the worst for black residents.
Sacramento, California, landed in the middle of the survey of cities, with a median income of $51,572, bachelor’s degrees in the hands of 27 percent of the population, 35 percent owned homes, and 58 percent were a part of the work force.
New York City landed slightly higher up the list, with a median household income for black residents of $52,197, 27 percent with bachelor’s degrees, 27 percent owning homes, and 59 percent in the labor force.
The south and the southwest were particularly favorable regions for black residents, where 14 of the 20 best cities were located.
The study looked at 200 of America’s largest cities, but only 133 were able to provide adequate data.