Veterans Information

Veterans Demographics


In 2022, 6.2% of the adult civilian population was considered veterans. The population share of veterans differs by state, though most have experienced a decline.


The highest percentage of veterans are Vietnam Era veterans at 5.6 million with equal numbers of veterans from 1990 - 2001 (3.9 m) and 2001 - 2021 (4.1 m).


That leaves just one million veterans who served in Korea and WWII. 

Veteran Demographics

  • Veteran Population

    While veteran populations vary from census to census, most agree that there are approximately 22 million military veterans in the U.S. population. If you add these figures on veterans to the active personnel numbers mentioned above, 7.3% of all living Americans have served in the military at some point in their lives.


    VETERAN POPULATION

  • Women Veterans

    The share of women veterans will increase from 11% this year to 18% in 2048.


    The overall number of women veterans is also expected to increase, from around 2 million to about 2.2 million.


    The number of male veterans, on the other hand, is projected to drop from about 16.2 million in 2023 to just under 10 million in 2048.


    Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15.5 percent of active duty military and 19.0 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces in 2015.


    The total Veteran population in 2015 was about 21.7 million Veterans.


    About 2 million or 9.4 percent of the total Veteran population were women Veterans.


    Women are now the fastest growing cohort within the Veteran community. 


    WOMEN VETERANS

  • LGBTQ+ Veterans

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  • Homeless Veterans

    The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the nation’s homeless veterans are predominantly male, with roughly 9% being female. The majority is single; live in urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. About 11% of the adult homeless population is veterans.


    VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

  • Veterans in Media

    Veterans compose 7% of the general population, but only 1 - 2% of newsrooms.


    MILITARY VETERANS IN JOURNALISM

  • Veteran Employment

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  • Justice Involved Veterans

    On any given day, approximately 730,000 people are being held in America’s jails. Approximately 180,000 men and women who have served this country are currently serving a jail or prison sentence. While many police departments have a veteran's community liaison, veterans are at higher risk of homelessness and arrest.


    JUSTICE-INVOLVED VETERANS

  • Questions or Comments

    Comments or questions for The Forgotten Veteran click HERE.


    Veteran Questionnaire click HERE.

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