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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 rate6.1%+0.3 ptsBureau of Labor StatisticsJul 2026
Black homeownership rate45.9%+0.4 ptsCensus Housing Vacancy SurveyQ2 2026
Median Black household income$56,490+2.1%Census Bureau, CPS ASEC2025
Black-owned employer firms161,000+3.8%Annual Business Survey2025
Small business loan approval gap-17 ptsunchangedFederal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey2025
Black CEOs in the S&P 5008-1Company filings reviewJul 2026

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.