This book is about race and the differences race makes in the lives of Americans. Its mission is to convert 1980 census data into authoritative analyses of major changes and trends in American life. It includes the following chapters: (1) "Race in America: The Dilemma Continues"; (2) "Black Population Growth from Colonial Times to World War II"; (3) "An Analysis of Mortality: 1940 to the Present"; (4) "Fertility Trends: 1940 to the Present"; (5) "The Redistribution of the Black Population and Residential Segregation"; (6) "Black Family, White Family: A Comparison of Family Organization"; (7) "The Schooling of America: Black-White Differences in Education"; (8) "Employment"; (9) "Racial Differences in Occupational Achievement"; (10) "Personal Income"; (11) "The Earnings of Employed Workers"; (12) "Race, Ancestry, and Socioeconomic Status: Are West Indian Blacks More Successful?"; and (13) "A World with No Color Line: Race and Class in Twenty-First Century America." Sixty-four tables and 49 figures are included. An appendix, containing 18 tables, presents an evaluation of the quality of census data. An extensive list of references is included. (JS)