1963 vs. Today: African-American Progress by the Numbers

U.S. Census Bureau data highlights advances for Blacks.

Mvd613261

1 / 9

1963 vs. Today: African-American Progress by the Numbers - (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) In honor of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the U.S. Census Bureau released key statistics that mark changes in the African-American population. The data highlights significant advances in voting, income and other areas from 1963 to present day. —Dominique Zonyéé

Population - In 1964 there was an estimated total of 20,255,067 or 10.7 percent of Blacks residing in the United States. In 2012, there was double the amount of Blacks in America with the U.S. Census Bureau counting an estimated total of 44,456,009. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

2 / 9

Population - In 1964 there was an estimated total of 20,255,067 or 10.7 percent of Blacks residing in the United States. In 2012, there was double the amount of Blacks in America with the U.S. Census Bureau counting an estimated total of 44,456,009. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Voting - In the 1964 presidential election 58.5 percent of Blacks over 18 voted. In 2012, the numbers increased as 62 percent of Blacks over 18 voted in the election.(Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

3 / 9

Voting - In the 1964 presidential election 58.5 percent of Blacks over 18 voted. In 2012, the numbers increased as 62 percent of Blacks over 18 voted in the election.(Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Elected Officials - In 1970, there were only 1,469 elected Black officials. By 2011, there were an estimated 10,500 Black elected officials. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

4 / 9

Elected Officials - In 1970, there were only 1,469 elected Black officials. By 2011, there were an estimated 10,500 Black elected officials. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2013/01/National-01-01-01-15/011413-national-money-monday-cash-wallet-financial-economy.jpg

5 / 9

Income - The median income for Black men and women who worked full time in 1963 was $25,826 and $14,651, respectively. Black men and women full-time employees made a median income of $40,273 and $35,146, respectively, in 2011.

Photo By LaCoppola-Meier/Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT
Leadership Strategy - “I plan to lead from the people's will, not crony capitalism and big money and bring people with me from all walks of life, to inspire all Texans to rise higher and above and beyond where they are now and be a part of this economy. I am the only candidate with an anti-poverty agenda," Fristsch says.   (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

6 / 9

Poverty - The level of poverty for Black men and women decreased significantly for Blacks, with the poverty rate for Blacks at 41.8 percent in 1966 compared to 27 percent in 2011. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2013/01/National-01-16-01-31/013113-national-money-home-house-family-jappy-parents-homeowner.jpg

7 / 9

Housing - Home-ownership rates for Blacks did not have a dramatic increase, moving from 41.6 percent in 1970 to 43.4 percent in 2011.

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/National/082311-national-high-school-graduates-reading.jpg

8 / 9

High School Graduates - According to the Census data, Blacks excelled tremendously in the area of education. In 1964, 25.7 percent (2.4 million) of Blacks 25 and over completed at least four years of high school. In 2012, 85 percent of Blacks within those same parameters completed at least four years of high school.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/National/082211-national-dreams-not-realized-higher-education.jpg

9 / 9

College Students and Graduates - There were only 234,000 Blacks registered as college students in 1964, and 365,000 or 3.9 percent (ages 25 and over) of Blacks completed four years of college. By 2012, 2.6 million, more that 10 times the amount in 1964, were registered college students, with 5.1 million who had completed a bachelor’s degree.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)