With Martin Luther King Jr. Day around the corner and large gaps still existing between the incomes and employment rates of white and black Americans, the personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its report on the States That Have Made the Most Racial Progress, along with expert commentary, to highlight where we've made the biggest strides toward equality over the past several decades.
WalletHub measured the gaps between black people and white people across 22 key indicators of equality in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data set ranges from median annual household income to standardized-test scores to voter turnout.
| States With the Most Racial Progress | Most Integrated States Overall | ||
| 1. Texas | 1. New Mexico | ||
| 2. Wyoming | 2. Hawaii | ||
| 3. Mississippi | 3. Arizona | ||
| 4. Georgia | 4. Kentucky | ||
| 5. New Jersey | 5. Texas | ||
| 6. New Mexico | 6. Alaska | ||
| 7. Maryland | 7. Delaware | ||
| 8. Connecticut | 8. Washington | ||
| 9. Florida | 9. Maryland | ||
| 10. Idaho | 10. Georgia | ||
Key Stats
- The District of Columbia has the lowest gap in homeownership rates between white people and Black people. Connecticut has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970.
- Hawaii has the lowest gap in median annual household incomes between white people and Black people. Wyoming has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1979.
- Alaska has the lowest gap in unemployment rates between white people and Black people. North Dakota has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970.
- Hawaii has the lowest gap in poverty rates between white people and Black people. Mississippi has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970.
- Wyoming has the lowest gap in bachelor's degree attainment (for adults ages 25+) between white people and Black people. Wyoming has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970.
To view the full report and your state's rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-most-and-least-racial-progress/18428