Statistics reporting the general, social and economic characteristics of the black population in the U.S. are presented in this document, the sixth in a series on the subject. The report focuses, in general, on the changes which have occurred in the last five years in income, employment, education, housing, health and other major aspects of life. During the 1960's, blacks made substantial social and economic gains in many of the areas mentioned above; in recent years progress continued in some areas--notably, education. In some other areas, no improvements were noted, and in 1973, blacks still remained behind whites in most social and economic areas. (Author/RJ)