is a plan to improve student achievement in D.C.’s schools,” says Bobb. “There’s a major reform agenda in Prince George’s County, where there’s a new superintendent.” Ironically, the D.C. metro area has the best-educated black population of the top 10, boasting the highest percentage of black high school and college graduates.
For many residents like the Williams and Turner families, the overall quality of life is good and they plan to retire in D.C.’s metro area.
–Sheiresa McRae
Final Tally
| TOP CITIES 2007 | SURVEY RANKING 2007 | B.E. RANKING 2004 | B.E. RANKING 2001 | TOTAL POPULATION (MSA) | BLACK POPULATION (MSA) | % BLACK POPULATION (MSA) |
| Washington, D.C. Metro | 99.73 | 2 | 2 | 5214666 | 1388533 | 26.6 |
| Atlanta, GA | 95.88 | 1 | 3 | 4917717 | 1515508 | 30.8 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 93.77 | NR | NR | 1405868 | 300095 | 21.3 |
| Houston, TX | 91.18 | 5 | 1 | 5280077 | 889236 | 16.8 |
| Nashville, TN | 87.79 | 4 | NR | 1422544 | 217446 | 15.3 |
| Dallas, TX | 80.82 | 3 | 8 | 5819475 | 828613 | 14.2 |
| Charlotte, NC | 80.54 | 6 | 4 | 1521278 | 356479 | 23.4 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 78.21 | NR | NR | 1640591 | 239673 | 14.6 |
| Columbus, OH | 74.67 | 9 | NR | 1708625 | 240620 | 14.1 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 74.49 | NR | NR | 1248371 | 280577 | 22.5 |
| Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
| B.E. Cities Average | 85.71 | – | – | 3017921 | 625678 | 20 |
Â
Money, Finance &Â Business
| TOP CITIES 2007 | COST OF LIVING INDEX | MEDIAN HOME VALUE ($) | BLACKS OWNING HOMES | BLACK MORTGAGE REJECTION (%) | MEDIAN BLACK HOUSEHOLD INCOME ($) | % BLACK HOUSEHOLDS EARNING $100K+ |
| Washington, D.C. Metro | 138.8 | 404,900 | 49.3 | 16.2 | 53,686 | 15.2 |
| Atlanta, GA | 95.6 | 177,200 | 48.6 | 23.5 | 39,516 | 14.5 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 94.8 | 166,500 | 48.6 | 25.5 | 34,301 | 6.7 |
| Houston, TX | 90.0 | 123,400 | 45.5 | 29.6 | 31,809 | 7.1 |
| Nashville, TN | 90.9 | 148,500 | 44.1 | 27.8 | 27,153 | 4.0 |
| Dallas, TX | 91.8 | 133,900 | 42.5 | 29.4 | 34,388 | 5.3 |
| Charlotte, NC | 92.7 | 150,900 | 47.0 | 26.4 | 30,781 | 6.7 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 97.6 | 136,500 | 44.7 | 24.1 | 29,877 | 6.1 |
| Columbus, OH | 100.1 | 155,600 | 40.3 | 23.0 | 32,347 | 5.4 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 97.7 | 162,000 | 49.6 | 30.2 | 32,246 | 7.5 |
| B.E. Cities Average | 99.0 | 175,940 | 46.0 | 25.6 | 34,610 | 7.9 |
| National Average | 100.0 | 167,500 | 47.2 | 27.6 | 30,939 | 5.4 |
Â
Public & Private Services
| TOP CITIES 2007 | DOLLARS PER PUPIL | PUPIL/ TEACHER RATIO | % BLACK COLLEGE GRADS |
| Washington, D.C. Metro | 7,203 | 15.7 | 28.6 |
| Atlanta, GA | 5,795 | 16.2 | 25.1 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 5,390 | 15.5 | 26.8 |
| Houston, TX | 5,210 | 16.8 | 21.1 |
| Nashville, TN | 5,306 | 15.1 | 18.0 |
| Dallas, TX | 5,162 | 15.2 | 19.7 |
| Charlotte, NC | 5,252 | 16.6 | 19.2 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 6,249 | 18.0 | 17.5 |
| Columbus, OH | 6,272 | 17.6 | 19.1 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 4,985 | 19.2 | 16.6 |
| B.E. Cities Average | 5,682 | 16.6 | 21.2 |
| National Average | 5,894 | 16.7 | 17.3 |
Business &Â Career Opportunities
| TOP CITIES 2007 | BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES | RECENT JOB GROWTH (%) | BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (%) |
| Washington, D.C. Metro | 67,213 | 2.2 | 6.2 |
| Atlanta, GA | 63,940 | 2.0 | 8.6 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | 12.144 | 3.4 | 7.7 |
| Houston, TX | 35,846 | 3.1 | 9.7 |
| Nashville, TN | 5,970 | 2.3 | 7.5 |
| Dallas, TX | 27,514 | 2.3 | 9.4 |
| Charlotte, NC | 12,937 | 1.8 | 9.9 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 6,453 | 0.7 | 10.4 |
| Columbus, OH | 8,771 | 0.4 | 9.0 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 6,799 | 2.1 | 7.7 |
| B.E. Cities Average | 24,759 | 2.0 | 8.6 |
| National Average | 3,263 | N/A | 10.2 |