Black Virginians have made educational and economic gains over the last three decades, but they continue to lag far behind their white counterparts.

A University of Virginia study released Monday shows that even among people with the same education level and number of hours worked, household income is substantially higher for white Virginians.

The unemployment rate is higher for black Virginians. Black Virginians also remain worse off in terms of poverty and home ownership.

The study notes that the differences in part reflect the lasting effects of structural inequalities that once restricted black people's access to education, housing markets and other means of advancement.

About 1.5 million Virginians, or about 19 percent of the state's population, identify themselves as black or African American, according to the 2010 Census.

Black Virginians have made educational and economic gains over the last three decades, but they continue to lag far behind their white counterparts.

A University of Virginia study released Monday shows that even among people with the same education level and number of hours worked, household income is substantially higher for white Virginians. The unemployment rate is higher for black Virginians. Black Virginians also remain worse off in terms of poverty and home ownership.

The study notes that the differences in part reflect the lasting effects of structural inequalities that once restricted black people's access to education, housing markets and other means of advancement.

About 1.5 million Virginians, or about 19 percent of the state's population, identify themselves as black or African American, according to the 2010 Census.