New Orleans Economic Disparity
by the Numbers *

59

percentage of the population that is Black

4,803

number of White-owned businesses with employees

530

number of Black-owned businesses with employees

$83,727

median White household income

$30,292

median Black household income

*CCI analysis of 2017 Federal Economic Census and 2021 American Community Survey data

The fight for economic equity is now more critical than ever

Decades of documented racial biases in contracting, hiring, and financing means that for generations, businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have struggle to compete in an environment that has historically and continues to favor white men.

This disparity feeds the economic and social instability of our communities and stymies the economy of the city as whole, yet recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have limited the extent to which government can use its influence and contracting power to remedy this bias.

But we are not giving up. The Collaborative Community Initiative works at the intersection of community and data to help businesses, advocates, and elected officials ensure that any policies and programs created to help BIPOC business owners are effective and informed.

Learn more about economic disparity in New Orleans: