II. Overview of Demographic Data for Black Women and Girls in California • Population: Over 1.2 million Black Women and girls live in California, making up 6.6% of the state’s female population. Black Women are overrepresented in many adverse indicators despite representing a small share of the state population (California Budget and Policy Center, 2022). • Youth Population: Black Girls (under 18) make up 1 in 14 girls in California yet face some of the highest poverty rates and lowest academic success rates (CBPC). • Elderly Black Women: Black Women over age 65 are disproportionately likely to live alone and face challenges accessing healthcare, economic security, and caregiving (MSMU State of Women Report, 2023). III. Education & Economic Mobility Educational Disparities • High School Graduation: Approximately 91% of Black Women aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher. • College Degrees: Only 25% of Black Women in California hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 47% of white women (MSMU, 2023). • Student Debt: Black Women are the most likely group to incur student loan debt and the least likely to repay it, due to wage gaps and job market discrimination.
Economic Indicators: • Poverty: Nearly 25% of Black Women and girls live below the federal poverty line—double the rate for white women in California (CBPC, 2022). • Housing Stability: Black Women face the highest eviction rates and are more than twice as likely as white women to be unhoused (CABWCEI, 2024). • Public Sector Employment: Approximately 40% of employed Black Women in California work in the public sector—often in underpaid or precarious positions (CABWCEI, 2024). Wage Gap: How Far Behind Black Women Lag • In 2022, Black Women statewide earned approximately $54,000, and Black single mothers about $50,000, compared to nearly $90,000 for white men—meaning every $1 earned by a white man corresponds to just $0.60 for Black Women and $0.56 for single Black moms (CBPC/CABWCEI, 2025). • If progress continues at the current pace, the Black Women’s wage gap in California won’t close until 2121—nearly 100 years from now (CBPC/CABWCEI, 2025). • Black Women are disproportionately roles. While they comprise nearly 30% of home health care workers, they constitute only about 6% of the overall labor force (CBPC, 2025). • Promotion inequities persist: In 2023, only 54 Black Women were promoted per 100 men—The lowest promotion rate between all represented in low-wage, low-mobility sectors, particularly in caregiving and health support
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2025 STATE OF BLACK WOMEN
IN CALIFORNIA
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