African American History Month is here, and in celebration, we’re exploring Georgia’s Non-Hispanic Black population over time. Statewide, a little less than a third of our residents are black, but this wasn’t always the case – in 1980, for instance, the Census estimated about a quarter of our population was black. How have things changed in a more recent timeframe? The map below takes a look at the percentage point change in Georgia’s Non-Hispanic Black population shares between 2010 and 2018. A second layer shows current shares across the state.

Percentage Point Change in Share of Non-Hispanic Black Residents, 2010 to 2018

The counties with the greatest percentage point increase in Black share are all in Metro Atlanta. Rockdale takes the top spot, with a a share increase of 9.6 points (+11,013 people or a 31 percent increase), followed by Douglas (8.1 points– +16,696 people, a 35 percent growth rate),  and then Henry (7.9 points; + 26,915 people for a 40.9 percent increase). If we’re looking at population numbers, however, Gwinnett takes the top spot, with a gain of 69,804 Black residents, a gain of 4.7 percentage points in share and a 42.1 percent growth rate.

To see current and 2010 shares, click the layers on and then click on a county to see the figures. Today, Hancock County has the highest share of Black residents in the state of Georgia, with Black residents comprising 72.3 percent of its 8,535 residents. Dougherty County (68.9 percent of its total population of 91,049) and Clayton County (68.1 percent of its total population of 278,666) take the second and third spots.

Source: ACS 2014-2018