African American population growing faster than overall population in many rural areas

During a post-recession population slowdown, the African American population continued to grow, including in many rural areas, says a report by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tim Marema reports for the Daily Yonder. Researchers say this is the the result of African Americans having higher fertility rates and a younger average population.

The ERS study found that from 2010 to 2013, the total African American population grew by 3.2 percent, compared to the overall population growth of 2.2 percent. In rural areas adjacent to a metro area, the overall population dropped 0.1 percent, but the African American population grew by 0.8 percent. In rural areas not adjacent to a metro area, the overall population grew by 0.4 percent, with the African American population growing by 1.4 percent. In rural remote areas the African American population decreased by 0.5 percent, lower than the overall population drop of 0.7 percent. (ERS graphic)