February 12th 2024.
A recent report, titled "The State Of Black Residents: The Relevance Of Place To Racial Equity And Outcomes," has shed light on the substantial gaps between Black and white residents in nearly every county across America. The findings are concerning, highlighting the slow progress our country has made in addressing economic and social disparities for Black Americans. The report states that at the current pace, it could take anywhere from 110 to 320 years to close these gaps.
This slow progress not only affects Black Americans, but it also hinders the growth and potential of the entire nation. The report, conducted by McKinsey & Company, found that there is virtually no place in the United States where Black residents have equal outcomes as their white counterparts. Even in communities that are close to racial parity, such as small rural counties, the overall outcomes for all residents are poor.
To gather these findings, McKinsey examined over 3,000 counties and categorized them into 13 different community profiles based on economic measures, size, and other characteristics. These profiles range from megacities to trailing rural economies. Shockingly, less than 0.1% of Black Americans live in a county that has nearly achieved racial parity.
The study also revealed that Black Americans tend to fare better in suburban and high-growth areas, where they lead in metrics such as median household income, management roles, and bachelor's degree attainment. However, these areas also have a lower representation of Black residents. On the flip side, stable and trailing rural counties, which are home to about 15% of Black Americans, rank at the bottom for outcomes due to issues like poverty, food insecurity, and lack of health insurance. While these areas may have a higher ranking in housing, the overall quality of life for Black Americans is hindered by these challenges.
The report also delved into the overrepresentation of Black Americans in megacities, where more than 30% of the population resides. These areas may have strong economies and higher household incomes for Black residents, but they also come with a high cost of living, long commutes, and a heavy rent burden, making it difficult for Black Americans to build wealth and pass it on to future generations.
Despite some progress made over the past decade, the report notes that it has been significantly slower and less substantial for Black Americans compared to the rest of the country. This is due to the disadvantaged starting point for many Black Americans, making it harder for them to catch up and improve their quality of life.
The authors of the report, McKinsey & Company partners JP Julien, Duwain Pinder, and Shelley Stewart III, along with senior partner and leader of the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, have shed light on the urgent need to address these disparities. As the world's youngest racial justice philanthropists from New York gain international attention, this report serves as a reminder that there is still a long way to go for Black Americans to achieve racial parity.
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