Diminished Returns: The Black Wealth Gap in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a city of contrasts, distinguishing elites from the working class, the native from the newcomers, where intrinsic economic disparities exist alongside a rich history of Black culture and resilience.

For centuries, Black residents have faced systemic barriers rooted in the legacies of enslavement, segregation, and serial displacement, all of which have contributed to the Black wealth gap still present today. This gap, the result of intentional policies, is starkly illustrated by the disparity in net worth between Black and white households in the D.C. Metropolitan area. According to U.S. census data, the median net worth of white households in the area is $284,000 — 81 times the median savings and assets of Black households.

Wage theft, housing discrimination, and economic injustice have only widened the gap. This staggering difference has profound implications for the quality of life, economic stability, and future opportunities of Black residents.

Advocates in D.C. and across the country are pushing for reparative solutions that address the root causes of the Black wealth gap. From student loan debt to declining homeownership rates, the economic challenges faced by Black residents are immense. Yet, the growing momentum behind reparations offers hope that, one day, the losses suffered by Black Americans due to centuries of structural racism will be acknowledged and addressed. In the words of the advocates at the head of this fight, true repair begins with understanding history and ends with action that restores and rebuilds Black wealth in Washington, D.C. and beyond.