Study: Florida ranks among top 10 for best economic ‘racial equality’ in America
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Florida was named the eighth best spot in America for state economies with the most racial equality, according to a new study.
The ranking comes as critics of Florida’s Republican leadership have said new policies created a hostile environment for minorities. For example, the NAACP has been declaring a “travel advisory” for Black people seeking to travel to Florida, though the state has continued to break tourism records.
“The U.S. has come a long way in terms of implementing equal rights, but there’s still a lot of racial inequality in our country when it comes to wealth and employment,” WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said. “Therefore, it’s important to celebrate and learn from the states that have helped black Americans gain a good financial footing and close the gap with white Americans.”
According to WalletHub, the study ranked Florida seventh best in homeownership rate, 13th for unemployment and labor participation rate, 16th in median annual household income, and 18th in poverty rate between white and Black Americans.
The state also placed 1st in homeless rate and share of unsheltered Homeless for a total score of 75.60.
For its findings, WalletHub compared the employment and wealth of white and Black Americans in all 50 States and the District of Columbia across eight metrics. They include annual income, unemployment rate and homeownership rate.
Alaska topped all U.S. states with the best economic racial equality with a total score of 84.17. They were followed by Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico and Washington in the top five.
The rest of the top 10 included Maine, South Dakota, Oregon and Hawaii. Among sub categories, Hawaii placed first for median annual income gap between both races.
They were followed in medium annual income gap by New Hampshire, South Dakota, Maine and New Mexico.
The District of Columbia was named as having the worst economic racial equality by far, including 51st median annual income gap, for a total score of 16.40. The district was followed overall by Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Louisiana in the bottom five.
Wisconsin, Louisiana, Illinois and Mississippi also placed in the bottom five for median annual income gap between each race.
Among states with the best labor-force participation rate between white and Black Americans, Kentucky tied with Arizona and Vermont for the top spot. They were followed by Alaska and Delaware in the top five.
