Young black males are disproportionately represented as patients in trauma units. Unemployment, low educational level, and family composition may predispose young black males to trauma unit admission. To test this hypothesis, 300 males between the ages of 18 and 40 admitted to the Cook County Hospital Trauma Unit were surveyed with respect to demographic data, family composition, educational level, and employment background. The majority of patients were black (87%) and unemployed (68%). The most common diagnoses were penetrating trauma (53.2%) and assault (33.5%). Highest unemployment and lowest educational levels were found among patients who were victims of penetrating trauma or assault. Sixty-six percent reported the presence of an adult male in the household while growing up, and 93% reported the consistent presence of their biological mother. There was a significant correlation between race, trauma mechanism, unemployment, low educational level, and family composition. Recognition and amelioration of the economic and educational inequities that may exist in this population might reduce the incidence of trauma significantly.