Between 1900 and 2014, the average life expectancy of U.S. residents increased from 47.3 years to 78.9 years, or by 31.6 years. During the same period, the average life expectancy for African Americans increased from 33.0 years to 75.6 years, or by 42.6 years. Also, the average life expectancy for white Americans increased from 47.6 years to 79.1 years, or by 31.5 years.