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The Black Wall Street Economy

Reports and Data

A research library built for decisions

Economic reports, community profiles, industry analysis, and original research. Every figure carries a source and a date.

Indicator library

Tracked economic indicators

Tracked economic indicators with values, changes, sources, and dates
IndicatorLatestChangeSourceAs of
Black unemployment rate6.6%unchangedBLS, Current Population Survey (series LNS14000006)Jun 2026
Black homeownership rate44.7%-0.3 ptsCensus Bureau, Housing Vacancy Survey (Table 20)Q1 2026
Median Black household income$56,860+1.0%Census Bureau, Current Population Survey ASEC2024 (released Sep 2025)
Black-owned employer firms161,000+3.8%Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey2022 (released 2024)
Small business loan approval gap-19 ptswidenedFederal Reserve, Small Business Credit Survey2024 report
Black CEOs in the S&P 5006-2Company filings review, cross-checked against Spencer Stuart / Richard Grasso ListAug 2026

National indicators are reviewed and refreshed every quarter against primary government sources.

State data

Track by state

Search for a state to see Black household income and homeownership figures alongside the national number, pulled live from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Alabama Black household figures vs. national figures
IndicatorAlabamaNational
Median Black household income$46,756$56,860
Black homeownership rate53.3%44.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates (tables B19013B, B25003B). As of: ACS 2024 1-year release. States with too few Black households sampled in a given year may show "Not reported" under Census disclosure rules. State figures are pulled live from the Census ACS release; national indicators above are reviewed and refreshed every quarter.

Research

Published reports

Each report includes a summary, key findings, geographic area, sources, and a downloadable file.

Access to Capital
Southeast United States

Access to Capital in the Southeast: 2026 Baseline

A metro-level review of small business lending volume, approval rates, and CDFI coverage across seven states.

Research Team · Published Jul 2026

Key findings

  • Approval rates trail the national average by 17 percentage points.
  • CDFI coverage is concentrated in four metros; 62 rural counties have none.
  • Firms with two years of reviewed financials approved at nearly twice the rate.
Real Estate
National sample

Who Owns the Corridor: Commercial Property on Historic Business Districts

Parcel-level ownership analysis of nine historically Black business districts.

Research Team · Published Jun 2026

Key findings

  • Local ownership fell in seven of nine corridors over the last decade.
  • Out-of-state LLCs now hold 34% of ground-floor commercial space.
  • Community land trusts stabilized rents where they existed.
Government Contracting
12 states

Public Contract Dollars: A Five-Year Spend Analysis

How much of state and municipal procurement actually reached Black-owned firms.

Research Team · Published May 2026

Key findings

  • Certified firms won 4.1% of prime contract dollars.
  • Subcontracting goals were met on paper but rarely audited.
  • Bonding requirements were the most cited barrier to bidding.