This population report presents current census and other governmental and private agency statistics on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the black population in the United States for 1974. Recent trends dating from 1970 to 1974 (and in the case of income and labor force, including early 1975 figures) are examined for population distribution, income, labor force and business ownerships, education, family composition and fertility, health, housing, voting, elected officials, armed forces, and other major aspects of life, such as crime, victims, and offenders. Data analysis indicates advances in the areas of education, health, and in election to public office. Changing family composition and work experience patterns of family members, inflation, and the downturn in the economy were found to impede progress in the areas of income and employment. The economic recession that began in 1974 and inflation were found to have serious effects on both whites and blacks, causing a sharp rise in unemployment rates, the erosion of income levels, and an increase in the number of white poor; poverty level, however, remained unchanged for blacks. The area of unemployment was said to be hardest hit by inflation. Appendixes include definitions and explanations for various terms such as food stamps, black-owned businesses, and others. Sources and reliability of data are also provided. (Author/AM)