Generation X (Single and Black)Income and Education Statistics

Generation X

Generation X is a term commonly used to refer to Americans born between 1965 and 1980. Depending on the source, that range may differ slightly. However, the common understanding is that generation X falls between the baby boomer generation and the millennial generation. For tis reason, It is often called the been called the “middle child” generation. This data refers to members of the black or African American population that fall into this age category.

Income and Education

Understanding the mechanisms and impact of income and education on black people’s outcomes is more difficult than it seems on the surface. One of the keys is to understand what the metrics look like. Firstly, income and education may be a direct input into the level of productivity that generates the quality of the legacy that GenXers eventually create and then leave behind. Secondly, they also affect the choices they have. Thirdly, they may indirectly create a higher quantity and/or quality of other things through their effect on overall household incomes. Obviously, income and education work together to bring about the desired lifestyles for not just generation X, but all black people in America.

Income

In technical terms, income refers to the money that a person or a business receives in return for working performed, a product or service provided, or the proceeds from investing capital. Government tax agencies look at income as either taxable, tax-exempt, or tax-reduced. Economists often refer to income as disposable or discretionary. Here, we’ll look at the gross (total) income of single black members of the generation X population.

In the data set reviewed, there were fewer than a quarter of a million single black members of generation X that had average incomes over $100,000. Of those, 34,507 more of them were women than men. To be more precise, 133,508 were women while 98,001 were men.

Single Black Generation X Income facts:

152,000 more black women were making $50K to $100K than men.
312,000 more black women were making $20K to $50K than men.
151,000 more black women were making less than $20K than men.
41,000 more black men had no income than women.

The facts above would logically lead us to ask some deeper questions about the incomes of the single black generation X population.

Single Black Generation X Income

Income Level	100K & Up	$50K - $100K	$20K - $50K	Under $20K	No Income
Single Black GenXers	231,509 (5%)	834,939 (18%)	1,394,540 (31%)	692,782 (15%)	1,412,861 (31%)
GenX Men	98,001	341,591	541,445	270,710	726,769
GenX Women	133,508	493,348	853,095	422,072	686,092
Difference	35,507 more women	151,757 more women	311,650 more women	151,362 more women	40,677 more men

This table illustrates the income levels of black and single members of generation X and compares the two genders. The data does not include information on salaries above $1,000,000. The source for this data is the U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 ACS 1-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS).

Education

Education drives metrics in the single black generation X category the same way that it drives all of the rest. Our education in any disciple helps us to think, feel, and behave in a way that contributes to our success. In addition, it’s been proven to improves both our personal satisfaction and our community. The reason for this is simple, education helps humans develop their personality, thoughts, and how we deal with others. In short, it prepares people for life experiences.

When we look at the figure for Single Black Generation X women with a bachelors degree or higher, we see that there are more than double the number of Black men at the same level of education. There were 640,000 woman and only 291,000 men.

Single Black Generation X Education Facts

138,000 more black women had an Associates Degree than men.
212,000 more black women had “some college but no degree” than men.
49,000 more black men with only a high school diploma than women.
40,000 more black men with no high school diploma than women.

As with income, the facts above would logically lead us to ask some deeper questions about the education of the single black generation X population. Why are there more black women that have obtained at least their Associates Degree than there are men? What are the factors that kept both men and women from completing their studies? How are black men less of the population yet contribute to a higher number of black people with no diploma?

These are just some of the questions that one might have. Can you think of any others?

Single Black Generation X Education

Education Level	Bachelor's Degree or Higher	Associate's Degree	Some College, No Degree	High School Diploma or GED	Less than a High School Diploma
Single Black GenXers	930,841 (20%)	438,122 (10%)	1,080,024 (24%)	1,527,038 (33%)	590,606 (13%)
GenX Men	290,731	149,926	434,118	788,260	315,481
GenX Women	640,110	288,196	645,906	738,778	275,125
Difference	349,379 more women	138,270 more women	211,788 more women	49,482 more men	40,356 more men

This table illustrates the education levels of black and single members of generation X and compares the two genders. The source for this data is the U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 ACS 1-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS).

Additional Factors Affecting Income and Marriage

There are tons of statistics that show that mass incarceration of the 1980s and 1990s had an obvious impact on the income and education levels of generation X black men. The Department of Justice reported that by 2000 there was an all time high of black male incarceration. Nearly 750,000 black men were being housed in correctional facilities at this time (federal/state prisons, and local jails). That figure ignores the hundreds of thousands of black men that are on parole and probation.

Most black Generation Xers were still young men when 1.9 million black men became ex-felons. Compare that to almost half or just under 1 million, 10 years later when many black millennials men were young. The US Census Bureau published a report in 2017 detailing that information. Now, ask yourself what affect this had on the female population.

Ultimately, there are a slew of other factors that affect income and marriage among the black generation x population. Among them are migration and crime.

Migration

Internal migration has had a huge affect on the black population in the United States. The four main reasons for this migration are: marriage, employment, education, and lack of security. As a result, there was an exodus of young black men, women, and families from struggling black communities to suburban areas in the 90’s. Many of these folks relocated to sunbelt cities in the South and Southwest that provided better economic opportunities.

Crime

As a result of migration, more concentrated impoverished communities in rural and urban were left behind. The condition of these communities left them more vulnerable to all types of crime. The “drug wars”, and the subsequent “war on drugs” literally tore these communities apart. Gangs that were already warring war for vendetta and territory were now waging war for the profits of illegal drug profits. In addition, those gangs grew rapidly. As for the war on drugs, criminalization of drugs and users, excessive imprisonment, and mandatory sentencing guidelines made things even worse. Add in the crack cocaine era and incarceration rates through the roof and you have a recipe for disaster.