© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Declining African-American Unemployment - 1/21/16

During the final month of twenty fifteen, African-American unemployment in the U.S. declined to its lowest mark since September two thousand and seven.  That means that African-American unemployment is back to pre-recession levels. 

Specifically, African-American unemployment stood at eight point three percent in December, down sharply from nine point four percent in November.  As reported by CNNMoney, there was a surge in job gains among African-Americans late last year. 

However, despite ongoing progress, African-Americans continue to experience higher unemployment than every other demographic group.  White unemployment is our point five percent; Hispanic unemployment is six point three percent and Asian unemployment is just four percent. 

An analysis of income complicates matters.  In two thousand and nine, median household income among African-Americans was approaching thirty six thousand dollars. 

By two thousand and fourteen, it had fallen closer to thirty five thousand dollars even as median household income remained flat among whites and rose among Hispanics – this despite the fact that there are more African-Americans with college degrees than Hispanics in the U.S. 

Anirban Basu, Chariman Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group (SPG), is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants. Prior to founding SPG he was Chairman and CEO of Optimal Solutions Group, a company he co-founded and which continues to operate. Anirban has also served as Director of Applied Economics and Senior Economist for RESI, where he used his extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region to support numerous clients in their strategic decision-making processes. Clients have included the Maryland Department of Transportation, St. Paul Companies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and the Martin O'Malley mayoral campaign.