Black Population in Denver, Colorado

Yes, Denver has a significant Black/African American population.

2020 Census Data

• Black or African American alone: 9.1% of Denver's population (~65,000 people).
• Black in combination with other races: ~11% total.

Historical Context

• Five Points neighborhood – Historic "Harlem of the West"; jazz, culture, Black businesses (1920s–1960s).
• Great Migration – Many arrived from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas (1940s–1970s) for defense/rail jobs.
• Gentrification – Recent decades have displaced long-time Black residents from core neighborhoods.

Current Landscape

Black Denverites are represented in politics (Mayor Michael Hancock, 2011–2023), arts, business, and academia. Organizations like the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver and Black American West Museum preserve and advance the community.