The State Of Black Los Angeles

A new report examines the state of Black Los Angeles, and finds that Black equality trails all other ethnic groups in Los Angeles.

1 minute read

July 25, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the Urban League of Los Angles today released an extensive, 100-page study detailing 'The State of Black Los Angeles.' The findings indicate striking disparities in conditions for Blacks in Los Angeles compared to othermajor ethnic groups. Among the four major ethnic groups in Los Angeles--Blacks, Asians, Latinos and Whites—Blacks had the lowest Equality Index score (69 for Blacks, versus 98 forAsians, 71 for Latinos and 100 for Whites), determined by a compilation of data on economics, housing, health, education, criminal justice and civic engagement.

Among the findings:

  • Blacks have the highest rate of homelessness, and are estimated to be 30% or more of the county's homeless population
  • Blacks have the lowest median household income at $31,905 compared to Latinos at $33,820 and whites at $53,978
  • 47% of Black adults attended college, but only 18% actually complete a bachelor’sdegree or higher, compared to 43% of Asians, 38% of Whites and 7% of Latinos whohave college degrees
  • Blacks rate highest of all groups in civic engagement, including citizenship, voting,military service and union membership

    Modeled after the National Urban League’s 'State of Black America' report, the study provides a snapshot of African Americans in Los Angeles, one of the nation's largestBlack metropolitan areas.
  • Thanks to Frank O'Brien

    Sunday, July 24, 2005 in United Way, Los Angeles

    portrait of professional woman

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban Planner

    Get top-rated, practical training

    Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

    Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

    Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

    April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

    Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

    Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

    A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

    April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

    Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

    The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

    More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

    April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

    Looking out at trees on 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California.

    LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism

    After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.

    April 23 - Torched

    White and blue Sacramento regional transit bus with one bike on front bike rack.

    Sacramento Leads Nation With Bus-Mounted Bike Lane Enforcement Cameras

    The city is the first to use its bus-mounted traffic enforcement system to cite drivers who park or drive in bike lanes.

    April 23 - Streetsblog California

    View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

    Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum

    Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.

    April 23 - Next City