Unemployment rates across the nation are rising among Black Americans, but particularly for Black women. Some economists say it is concerning because many Black Americans have been barely getting by for decades.
According to the most recent U.S. Labor Department jobs report, the unemployment rate for Black Americans in July was 7.2%, up from 6.3% a year ago. The rate for Black Americans is nearly twice the total unemployment rate, which is 4.2%.
Within the Black unemployment rate, Black women have seen a significant increase in unemployment since last year. It went from 5.5% to 6.3% nationwide. Although the most recent data for the area is unavailable, economists say the rise in the unemployment rate in the St. Louis metropolitan area for Black Americans typically mirrors the national rate…