FACT CHECK #_RNX3WPK

WHAT WE FOUND

The figure of 13% is widely used by government agencies, fact-checkers, and research organizations to describe the Black share of the U.S. population 1 4 8. However, the exact percentage depends on the racial definition used and the year of the estimate. While some sources cite approximately 13% to 13.6% for the Black-only population 1, more recent data from the Pew Research Center indicates that as of 2023, approximately 14.4% of the population (48.3 million people) self-identifies as Black 3. This discrepancy often arises because the 13% figure typically refers to those who identify as Black alone, whereas the higher figure includes those who identify as multiracial or Black-in-combination 1 6. Despite these nuances, the 13% figure remains a common statistical shorthand used in discussions regarding criminal justice 7, public health 8, and general demographics 4.

SOURCES

1. 1 · factually.coFACT-CHECKER
   Does the 13% figure refer to Black Americans in popula...

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2. 2 · census.govACADEMIC
   U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States

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3. 3 · pewresearch.orgACADEMIC
   Facts About the U.S. Black Population | Pew Research Center

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4. 4 · prisonpolicy.orgACADEMIC
   Racial and ethnic disparities

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5. 5 · weforum.orgACADEMIC
   Research: Key demographics within the US Black population | World Economic Forum

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6. 6 · en.wikipedia.orgWEB
   Race and ethnicity in the United States - Wikipedia

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7. 7 · jtspratley.comWEB
   The 1350 Myth (13/50) About Black Americans and Crime — Debunked - Jt Spratley Blog

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8. 8 · usafacts.orgWEB
   Black Americans make up 13% of the US population. They make up 23% of COVID-19 deaths. | USAFacts

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