This report presents an historical review of changes in the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the black population in the United States. The study focuses on changes which have occurred in population distribution, income levels, labor force, employment, education, family composition, mortality, fertility, housing, voting, public officeholding, armed forces personnel, and living conditions among blacks between 1790 and 1978. Most of the data are from the Bureau of the Census, with additional statistics from other Federal agencies and from private sources. Numerous tables, graphs, and charts illustrate the comparative data used in the review. (Author/EB)