Skip to main content

How Big Is the Inheritance Gap Between Black and White Families?

Analysis of inheritances and gifts by race using SCF data. Authors find that “transfers are not common, as the majority of both Black and White respondents report no transfers. However, over one-third of White respondents report receiving transfers, nearly three times as many as Black respondents.” Among those who do receive transfers, white families and those with higher levels of education receive far larger ones.

Related Posts

  • 7 Key Findings About Wealth and Financial Security

    November 4, 2026

    By Peter Ciurczak In October 2026, the Federal Reserve Bank’s Board of Governors released the latest iteration of the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). Conducted every three years, the SCF…

  • Leveraging Mobility in Boston

    April 16, 2026

    Drawing on a rare qualitative longitudinal study from the late 1990s to 2025, this report traces how wealth, opportunity, and financial security evolve within families and across the generations. Leveraging…

  • The Dignity Dividend: Lessons Learned from Guaranteed Income Pilots in Massachusetts

    July 15, 2025

    The past few years have seen a surge of local experimentation with guaranteed income, much of it made possible by federal pandemic relief funding.

    Guaranteed Income Cover