No U.S. state has a majority Black population according to the 2020 census data. While certain U.S. territories and federal districts do have a majority or significant Black population, no state meets this criterion.
Entities with the Highest Percentages of Black Residents
Based on the 2020 census data, which includes individuals identifying as Black or African American alone or in combination with other races, the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory, has the highest percentage of Black or African American residents. The District of Columbia, a federal district, also shows a very high percentage. Among the 50 states, Mississippi and Louisiana have the highest proportions.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the entities with the largest percentages of Black or African American residents:
| Rank | State or Territory | % Black or African American alone or in combination (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 76.0% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 44.17% |
| 3 | Mississippi | 37.94% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 33.13% |
As the data indicates, the U.S. Virgin Islands is the only entity listed that is majority Black. It is crucial to note that the Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory, not one of the 50 U.S. states. The District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) holds the second-highest percentage; however, it is a federal district and not a state.
Among the 50 U.S. states, Mississippi has the largest percentage of Black residents, followed by Louisiana. Neither of these states, however, has a majority Black population, meaning their Black population does not constitute over 50% of the total population.
