A Cold-Weather Reality: Black Households Face A Heavier Financial Hit When Temperatures Drop

Soaring energy prices are increasingly straining family finances across the United States, with African American households feeling the impact more acutely. The term "energy burden" denotes the proportion of income allocated to energy expenses, and research indicates that households with elevated energy burdens face significant difficulties in managing rising costs. Over 12 million households intentionally keep their environments uncomfortably cold or warm to reduce consumption. Alarmingly, 24 million families have sacrificed essential needs like food or medicine to meet utility payments.Our analysis of 2019 data highlights stark disparities: families in majority-Black census areas allocate an average of 5.1% of their income on energy, compared to 3.2% for average American households. Factors contributing to this inequality include older housing stock and a higher prevalence of rental properties among Black families, limiting energy efficiency upgrades. The entrenched legacies of redlining further complicate these issues, underlining the need for tailored, community-focused energy policies that address unique environmental and economic challenges.