Best Cities for Black PEOPLE in 2022 – 11 BEST CITIES [UPDATED 2023]

Wish to live or visit a town that is progressive, diverse, and tolerant? Do you want to be a place where you feel supported and also perhaps, more importantly, help you find BAE? Well, here is a list of some of the Best Cities for Black People to help you on that journey.

Some cities selected have very few residents but offer big-city options. Others have some phenomenal work opportunities, maybe a foodie’s delight with various areas with restaurants, bars, and attractions, and others may be more of a Black Mecca. Enjoy! 

Just so you know Green Book Global is the first black travel review site and we are dedicated to helping black travelers explore the world safely. Our community of black travelers have left thousands of tips and recommendations on our platform so be sure to check them out before your next trip or move.

Also, be sure to let us know in the comments if you agree with our list or if you think another city should be added.

1. Atlanta

You can’t mention one of the best cities for Black people and not mention Atlanta,  Even though the ratio “may ” be slightly lopsided with regards to the ratio of single women to men, it should still be high on your list as a favorite for Black singles. Home to many HBCUs as well as PWI, this city has a high number of black graduates.  Additionally, the city already had large companies present like AT&T, Delta, Coca-Cola, to name a few but now tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce have started making their way down.  

With pretty good access to jobs, a low cost of living, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle where you can socialize, shop, eat, drink, and give yourself a glow-up, you can’t go wrong with Atlanta. Not many cities cater to African Americans the way Atlanta does, which is it’s still often called the “Black Mecca”.

2. Frederick, Maryland

Though you may not have heard of this small town of about 70,000 residents, Frederick, Maryland should be on the top priority list for black singles. Just 50 miles outside of D.C., Frederick was ranked #4 on the top 100 list of best places to live in America. This charming town is located in western Maryland and is famous for its culture, art, and history. It has an extensive African American Heritage showcasing some of the important black history rooted in Frederick.

If you are a foodie, this city has great dining options and even has an abundance of wineries.  Pedestrian-friendly paths that lead you by creeks, breweries, distilleries assortment of rooftop terraces your “aura” will be different in Fredericks. It even has an up-and-coming start-up scene.

It truly is an incredible mix of hustle and bustle, and peaceful suburban life. The cost of living here would be tough to beat and it has a black population of about 20%.  “Bae, are you there?”

3. Montclair 

Montclair is one of the wealthiest cities in New Jersey with income levels hovering around 200K so it definitely one of the best cities for black people. In a population of nearly 40,000, approximately 10,000 are African American. 

Black people work in law enforcement, hospitals, government officials, lawyers, doctors, and a wide range of other professions and industries. There is definitely some residential segregation as most of the wealth sits in North Montclair and many of the black population live in South Montclair but the progressiveness of this city and relatively close proximity to New York City cannot be denied.

4. Beaufort, South Carolina  

As a black single, maybe you should leave the big city life. With its small pollution of 13,000, Beaufort is a charming coastal southern town that could be a great fit. A good percentage (around 28%) of its population is black and it is a lovely walkable town with numerous restaurants and a boardwalk with awesome views of the water. It has southern country charm and some in-depth African-American culture and history from the Gullah Art Gallery, Penn Center; one of the country’s first schools for freed slaves, and an assortment of historic African American churches.  So, you could find who you are looking for here or maybe you just bring them with you.

5. New York City

If you are ready for the fast life, New York is it. It has a black population of more than 3 million which is why it is amongst the best cities for black people.

Both Harlem and Brooklyn are amazing and there is a running debate on which is better! Sorry Bronx (you go to the birthplace of hip-hop though) but you aren’t quite there yet. You can find plenty of jobs, and opportunities to showcase your talent, socialize and enjoy varied cultures. Because of this, New York has always been a haven for the black population as the city that never sleeps.

Bed-Stuy Has one of the highest concentrations of black residents in the USA. And with New York’s recently elected black mayor, a new kind of Harlem Renaissance is happening- you can’t go wrong with NYC as a black single.

6. Oakland

African Americans have been a part of Oakland throughout most of its 167-year history. They have been an essential part of its rise from a mid-nineteenth century fledgling railroad town to the major West Coast port city, thriving tech hub, and trendy tourist attraction it is today.

Oakland needs black people to return as well.  It was almost majority black in the 1980’s hovering around 48% but over the past decades, the black population has continued to dwindle. In fact, Oakland’s population went up 50,000 between 2010-2020 but the black population went down by 7% and is now at 20%. I am sure the pandemic helped to expedite this shift as well.

Oakland is home to where the Black Panther Party was founded. West Oakland was once called the “Harlem of the West” and it had its own series of nightclubs and bars near the current-day Mandela Marketplace and the West Oakland BART station. Oakland was also called the West Coast center of blues music. There is so much history here that we cannot afford to lose. So singles, you got this!! That gal or girl you may be looking for could be in Oakland!!

7. Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is without a doubt one of the best cities for black people. It has an ocean of opportunities for entrepreneurs and black professionals. It has renowned universities like Howard University (HBCU), George Washington University, and Georgetown. It is a well-paying city with one of the highest numbers of black internship opportunities. Be it education, booming industries, clubbing, museum, or sightseeing, this city has it all!

Historically, D.C. was the first majority-black city in the U.S. starting in 1957. It was once 70% black as a result of the Great Migration where black people left the south and moved north in search of better opportunities and to escape segregation and lynching. Currently, it is hovering slightly over 40% black but still maintains the nickname of “Chocolate City”.  Check out clubs like Bliss Nightclub,  Club Timerhri, and Eighteen Street Lounge for a turn-up, or be a patron to black-owned restaurants like the historic Ben Chilli’s Bowl, Busboys, and Poets, or Mr. Braxton Bar and Kitchen.

9. Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard)

Martha’s Vineyard is the summertime sanctuary for the black elite and it really is one of the best cities for black people. There was nothing like the annual July 4^th turn-up on South Beach with young black professionals (until it got shut down in 2018).

Maybe you don’t want to live here year-round but summer in Martha’s Vineyard is the place to be for you to meet BAE.  He or she will be about something or at least pretend to be lol.  With its history of being part of the underground railroad and a meeting place for civil rights leaders, you will definitely be brushing shoulders with some of the most powerful and influential black people in the US. 

The island’s regulars over the years have included Henry Louis Gates Jr, Obama, the late Vernon Jordan, and many more; Maya Angelou once described the town of Oak Bluffs, which includes Inkwell Beach, as “a safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

8. Accra, Ghana

Ghana, located in an area once known as the Gold Coast of Africa, was the hub of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the departure point for slaves bound for America. In 2019 it was also the meeting place for tens of thousands of the African diaspora to come back home during the Year of Return with a heavy emphasis on Accra. 1619 is when the first slave is said to have landed in the Americans so it was a celebration of strength and resilience 400 years later.  The government also allocated land (not for free) where if you wanted to build and were for the African Diaspora they would offer incentives such as waived survey and registration fees.

Ghana offers Black Americans the ability to escape “deadly racism” in the US, which is working. Just the idea of Ghana creates a feeling of “black love” which can’t be said when you think of the U.S.  With dope music, clubs, food, a busy nightlife scene, beach bars, and restaurants, Accra is an amazing place to visit especially during Christmas and New Years when many of those family members overseas return back home.  No place is without its problems, but let’s just say it felt good to be part of the majority while there. It was also the first time I saw nothing but black Santa Clauses during Christmas.

10. Houston

Houston is the most diverse city in Texas but also in most diverse city in the entire United States. Diversity is critical to exchanging ideas, understanding different perspectives, and creating safe spaces, and Houston is at the forefront of this. Out of the 2 million population,  about 23% are African Americans. If you wish to relocate to a new city, Houston would be a great option as it provides an opportunity to network and builds with many progressive blacks.  Check out some of the hot spots like The Spot Lounge & Bar, The Alley Kat Bar & Lounge, Lost & Found, and Rise Rooftop.

It also could be a great place to settle down and enjoy black family suburbs and relatively inexpensive housing compared to the rest of the US. Some of the best black neighborhoods, although they are still experiencing gentrification are Pearland, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land.

11. Cali, Colombia

Colombia has the 4^th largest black population outside of Africa and Cali is one of Colombia’s highest-rated cities for healthcare. The pristine beaches on the Caribbean coast and the vibrant nightlife are key factors to staying here. It has great weather for the entire year. 

With 70% of Cali’s population being black, it is the country’s blackest city but it is also still very segregated. Many of the concentrations of black people that live in Cali are in Agua Blanca which is also one of the more dangerous places. However, the “hood” is where the love is! You can connect with the diaspora and see them rocking their natural hair, listening to Hip-Hop, Soca, and Afro-beats, a thriving culture of entrepreneurship, and see how the elevated consciousness and black pride are permeating across the world including Cali.  Cali is no different from the U.S., where systemic oppression and neglect have intentionally formed these “ghettos”. So while Agua Blanca is definitely a part of the diaspora that you should consider, I would also recommend taking extra precautions if you decide to visit.

Final Words

Whether you are looking to visit, settle down, or party, these are great options as the Best Cities for Black People. The world is your oyster and there are a plethora of opportunities both within and outside of the U.S. for you to select from.

If you want more information on destinations to consider, be sure to check the Black Travel Review portion of the site which has over 5,000 destination reviews by Black Travelers. You can also get paid to travel and leave reviews on the site as well!