86% of U.S. approves interracial marriage

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PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Interracial marriage approval is at a high point in the United States at 86 percent, a Gallup poll indicated Monday.

The poll of 1,319 adults found the United States is on the verge of unanimity on the topic of interracial marriage, Gallup reported.

Ninety-six percent of African-Americans, who have always been more approving of marriage between blacks whites, approve of such unions, while 84 percent of whites approve.

The gap of approval ratings between blacks and whites has narrowed considerably. The gap since 1997 has been averaging 13 percentage points. From 1968 to 1994, the average gap was 32 points.

When Gallup first asked about interracial marriage in 1958, only 4 percent of those asked approved.

Approval of black-white marriages is slightly lower among Southerners, Republicans, conservatives and those in lower education levels. The elderly are the least approving group at 66 percent.

The poll, conducted Aug. 4-7, has a 4 percentage point margin of error.