The Facts


Although the struggle for African American families can be obscured by Central Ohio area's growth and relatively low unemployment rate, the following is true:


Source: Financial Empowerment Roadmap, City of Columbus

  • The median income for black households in Columbus is $35,569, which is 40% less than that of white households.

  • Nearly 40% of black workers in Columbus make just $15,000 a year, compared to 14% of white workers.

  • Black women are more than likely than any other group to have attended some college or obtain an associate degree but are still more likely to live in poverty, making up 24% of Columbus poor residents.


Source: Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute and The Ohio State University Kirwan Institute

  • Columbus has been ranked as the second most economically segregated major metro area in the county.

  • Columbus is categorized among the least-promising places in the nation for low-income children to climb the financial ladder.


Source: 41st Annual Celebration Columbus Urban League Empowerment Day

  • Although 22% of the Franklin County population is African American, 73% of families served in homeless shelters in Franklin County are African American.

  • Black women experience eviction at 3 times the rate for white women.

  • African Americans represent more than 44% of unemployed adults receiving cash assistance.


Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • Ohio is ranked as one of the country's worst states for racial economic equality based on measuring white and black Americans across eight economic metrics that include labor force participation.

  • Nationally, the average white family has a net worth of $171,000 compared to $17,150 for the average black family.


Source: 41st Annual Celebration Columbus Urban League Empowerment Day

  • More African American adults are under correction control today than there were slaves before the civil war.


Source: US Census City/Town Population Estimates

Franklin County, Ohio Population by Race 2022