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With Martin Luther King Jr. Day around the corner and only 40% of adults thinking that the recent spotlight on racial equality has actually improved the lives of black people, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2023’s States with the Most Racial Progress, as well as expert commentary.
To measure America’s progress in harmonizing racial groups, WalletHub measured the gaps between black people and white people across 21 key indicators of equality and integration 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.
This report examines the differences between only black people and white people in light of the high-profile police-brutality incidents that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. We released this report ahead of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement to end segregation and discrimination against black people.
| Most Racially Integrated States | States with the Most Racial Progress | |
| 1. Hawaii | 1. Wyoming | |
| 2. Alaska | 2. Texas | |
| 3. New Mexico | 3. Georgia | |
| 4. Delaware | 4. Mississippi | |
| 5. Arizona | 5. Idaho | |
| 6. Washington | 6. New Mexico | |
| 7. Texas | 7. Florida | |
| 8. Kentucky | 8. New Jersey | |
| 9. Maryland | 9. Maryland | |
| 10. Montana | 10. Connecticut | |
Key Stats
- The District of Columbia has the lowest gap in homeownership rates between white people and black people, at 12.34 percent. Connecticut has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970, with a change of 9.56 percent.
- Hawaii has the lowest gap in median annual household incomes between white people and black people, at 14.48 percent. Wyoming has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1979, with a change of 49.59 percent.
- South Dakota has the lowest gap in unemployment rates between white people and black people, at 0.34 percent. North Dakota has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970, with a change of 10.45 percent.
- Hawaii has the lowest gap in poverty rates between white people and black people, at 1.15 percent. Mississippi has made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970, with a change of 26.47 percent.
- Wyoming has the lowest gap in the share of adults age 25 and over with at least a bachelor’s degree between white people and black people, at 4.35 percent. Wyoming has also made the most progress in closing this gap since 1970, with a change of 12.15 percent.
To view the full report and your state or the District’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-most-and-least-racial-progress/18428
