Black Southerners Disproportionately Live in Counties with High Vacancy and High Poverty Rates

Counties are shaded by their share of Black or African American residents. Hatched counties have both a poverty rate above 20% and an "Other" Vacant rate above 8%.

Note: Unlike broader vacancy measures, "Other" Vacant captures units in foreclosure, legal proceedings, or potentially abandoned units, making it a closer proxy for "blighted" properties. The Census does not gather information about the vacancy status of commercial properties and structure-free lots.
Chart: Center for Community ProgressSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020-2024