What Is the Median African American Household Net Worth
The median African American household net worth is the midpoint value where half of households have more and half have less. It is calculated by the Federal Reserve in the Survey of Consumer Finances and reported by the Brookings Institution and other research organizations.
How It Compares to Other Groups
Median African American household net worth is substantially lower than the median for White and Asian households in the United States. The gap reflects differences in income, homeownership rates, access to credit, inheritance, and historical economic barriers.
Key Factors Behind the Gap
Major factors include lower median incomes, higher unemployment rates, and lower rates of homeownership. Home equity is typically the largest asset for many families, and historical policies have limited access to home loans and generational wealth transfers for African American households. More detail is available from the Federal Reserve Board and the Brookings Institution.
