While often unseen in the national conversation, America’s over 2 million female veterans form a rapidly growing and uniquely diverse community, as shown by their younger median age, higher rates of college education, and increasing presence in every state and sector of society.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, female veterans numbered 2,132,860 in the US, comprising 9.7% of all 21,986,000 veterans, with ages ranging from under 30 (4.3%) to 85+ (4.2%).
- Female veterans are more urban than male veterans, with 74.2% living in urban areas compared to 71.5% of male veterans in 2020 Census data.
- Among female veterans aged 18-64, 28.4% are Hispanic or Latino, higher than the 17.2% for non-veteran women in the same age group per 2019 ACS.
- Female OEF/OIF/OND veterans: 55% of post-9/11 female veterans, over 600,000 served per DoD 2022.
- Women comprised 11% of active-duty personnel in 2020, with 72% of female veterans serving post-1990.
- 17% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are women, totaling 450,000 as of 2021 DoD reports.
- Female veterans MST prevalence: 29% experienced military sexual trauma per VA 2020 survey.
- 23% of female veterans have PTSD diagnosis, twice the civilian rate per VA 2021 mental health report.
- Female veterans suicide rate: 9.5 per 100,000, up 37% from 2018 per VA 2022 SIR.
- Unemployment among female veterans: 3.8% in 2022, below national 3.6% per BLS.
- Labor force participation: 58.2% for female vets 18-64 vs 56.4% non-vets per 2021 ACS.
- Median weekly earnings: $1,024 for female vets vs $991 civilians in 2022 BLS data.
- 65% of female veterans receive VA disability compensation, averaging $15,200 annually per 2021 VBA.
- 1.2 million female vets enrolled in VA health care, 25% of total patients per FY2022.
- Homeless prevention: 85% success rate for female vets in HUD-VASH program 2021.
America's two million female veterans are younger, more diverse, and rapidly growing.
Demographics
- In 2021, female veterans numbered 2,132,860 in the US, comprising 9.7% of all 21,986,000 veterans, with ages ranging from under 30 (4.3%) to 85+ (4.2%).
- Female veterans are more urban than male veterans, with 74.2% living in urban areas compared to 71.5% of male veterans in 2020 Census data.
- Among female veterans aged 18-64, 28.4% are Hispanic or Latino, higher than the 17.2% for non-veteran women in the same age group per 2019 ACS.
- Black female veterans make up 22.1% of all female veterans, totaling about 471,000 individuals as of 2021 VA estimates.
- The median age of female veterans is 48 years, compared to 62 for male veterans, based on 2020 VA National Center for Veterans Analysis.
- 15.3% of female veterans have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher, versus 28.4% of male veterans in FY2020.
- Female veterans in rural areas constitute 25.8% of rural veterans, up from 20% in 2010, per VA 2022 rural veterans report.
- Asian/Pacific Islander female veterans number 112,000, or 5.3% of female veterans, per 2021 VA demographics.
- 61% of female veterans are married, compared to 55% of male veterans, according to 2018 Current Population Survey Veterans supplement.
- Female veterans with children under 18 in household: 22.4%, higher than 18.7% for non-veteran women per 2019 ACS.
- In 2020, 8.2% of female veterans lived in poverty, lower than 12.1% for female non-veterans aged 18+.
- White non-Hispanic female veterans: 64.5% of total female veterans, equating to 1.38 million in 2021.
- Female veterans aged 35-54: 42.1% of female veteran population, the largest age cohort per VA 2021 data.
- 4.6% of female veterans served in the Vietnam Era only, totaling 98,000 women per VA VetPop2021.
- Multiracial female veterans: 3.2%, or 68,000, showing fastest growth among racial groups since 2010.
- Female Gulf War Era II veterans: 1,012,000, 47.4% of all female veterans as of 2021.
- 76% of female veterans reside in 10 states: CA, TX, FL, PA, OH, NY, IL, MI, NC, GA per 2020 VA state report.
- Female veterans with college degree or higher: 38.2%, exceeding male veterans' 32.1% in 2018 CPS data.
- American Indian/Alaska Native female veterans: 1.4% or 30,000, concentrated in Western states per VA 2021.
- 11.2% of female veterans are divorced, compared to 14.5% of male veterans per 2019 ACS Veterans.
- Female veterans in the South: 36.4% of female veteran population, highest regional concentration in 2021.
- Never married female veterans: 18.7%, lower than 12.3% for male veterans per 2018 data.
- Widowed female veterans: 7.8%, versus 19.2% male, reflecting younger age profile per VA 2022.
- Female veterans with dependents: 32.5% have minor children, per 2020 VA caregiver support data.
- 2.1% of US adult women are veterans, totaling over 2 million, per 2021 Census veteran profile.
- Female veterans 65+: 18.3%, projected to decline to 12% by 2035 per VA VetPop model.
- Living alone: 24.6% of female veterans vs 19.8% male, per 2019 American Community Survey.
- Female veterans homeowners: 68.4%, higher than renters at 31.6% in 2020 housing data.
- 5.8% of female veterans are foreign-born, primarily from Philippines and Vietnam per ACS 2019.
Demographics Interpretation
While younger, more urban, and more educated than their male counterparts, America's two million female veterans are a rapidly diversifying force who are statistically less likely to be disabled by service but more likely to be raising the next generation.
Employment and Education
- Unemployment among female veterans: 3.8% in 2022, below national 3.6% per BLS.
- Labor force participation: 58.2% for female vets 18-64 vs 56.4% non-vets per 2021 ACS.
- Median weekly earnings: $1,024 for female vets vs $991 civilians in 2022 BLS data.
- 12% of female veterans unemployed long-term (>27 weeks) in 2020 recession per BLS.
- College enrollment: 15.4% of female vets 18-24 vs 40% non-vets per 2019 NCES.
- STEM occupations: 18% of employed female vets vs 10% civilians per 2021 Census.
- Underemployment: 9.2% for female GWOT vets per 2022 RAND study.
- Bachelor's degree attainment: 34% of female vets vs 28% male vets per 2018 CPS.
- Veteran-owned businesses by women: 10.3% of vet businesses, 2 million employees per 2021 SBA.
- 22% of female vets in management roles vs 19% civilians per BLS 2022.
- GI Bill usage: 45% of Post-9/11 GI Bill to women, 400,000 recipients per VA 2022.
- Disability employment gap: 45% employment rate for disabled female vets vs 78% non-disabled.
- Trade/vocational training: 12% of female vets completed post-service per 2019 VA.
- Healthcare occupations: 28% of female vet workforce, highest sector per BLS 2021.
- Entrepreneurship rate: 14% of female vets self-employed vs 9% civilians per Kauffman 2022.
- 7.1% unemployment for female vet youth 18-24 in 2022 per BLS seasonal adjusted.
- Master's degree or higher: 14.2% of female vets, fastest growing per NCES 2021.
- Public administration jobs: 16% of female vets employed there per 2020 Census.
- Wage gap: Female vets earn 92 cents per male vet dollar in similar roles per 2021 IWPR.
- Apprenticeship completion: 92% for female vet participants in DOL programs 2021.
- Retail/service jobs: 24% of female vet employment, lower mobility per BLS.
- Online education usage: 32% of female GI Bill claims for distance learning 2022.
Employment and Education Interpretation
Female veterans punch above their weight in the civilian workforce, showing slightly higher unemployment but outperforming their civilian peers in pay, leadership roles, and STEM fields, though persistent challenges like underemployment, a disability employment gap, and the retail sector's gravitational pull hint that their service-to-success transition isn't always a smooth deployment.
Health and Wellness
- Female veterans MST prevalence: 29% experienced military sexual trauma per VA 2020 survey.
- 23% of female veterans have PTSD diagnosis, twice the civilian rate per VA 2021 mental health report.
- Female veterans suicide rate: 9.5 per 100,000, up 37% from 2018 per VA 2022 SIR.
- 37% of homeless veterans are female, despite 9% population share per HUD 2022 PIT.
- Depression rates: 27% in female veterans vs 8% civilians per 2019 WISER study.
- 15.4% of female VA patients have diabetes, higher than 11.2% male vets per VHA 2021.
- TBI incidence: 22% of OEF/OIF female vets report mild TBI per DoD 2020 survey.
- Cancer screening: 78% of female vets up-to-date on mammograms vs 72% civilians per VA 2022.
- 42% of female veterans report chronic pain, linked to service injuries per RAND 2021.
- Substance use disorder: 12% lifetime prevalence in female vets per VA 2019 NWPSD.
- 19% of female veterans have hypertension, rising with age per Million Veteran Program data.
- Intimate partner violence: 35% experienced post-service per VA 2020 IPV study.
- 28% of female vets overweight/obese at enlistment, 65% post-service per DoD 2021.
- Sleep disorders: 50% of female GWOT vets report insomnia per 2022 sleep study.
- 14% of female veterans have diagnosed anxiety disorders per VA electronic health records 2021.
- Heart disease: 8.2% prevalence in female vets under 65, double civilian rate per VA 2020.
- 31% report food insecurity, linked to health outcomes per 2021 Feeding America/VA.
- Autoimmune diseases: 16% higher in female vets per 2019 VA cohort study.
- 26% of female vets smoke currently, down from 35% in 2010 per BRFSS veteran data.
- Reproductive health issues: 22% infertility post-deployment per 2022 fertility study.
- 17.5% have arthritis, most common musculoskeletal issue per VA 2021 MSK report.
- COPD/asthma: 12.8% in female vets vs 9.1% civilians per NHIS 2019 veteran supplement.
- 9% of female veterans report hearing loss, deployment-related per 2020 auditory study.
- Gynecological cancers: 4.2% lifetime risk, screened via VA per 2022 women's health.
- 21% have vitamin D deficiency, linked to bone health per MVP 2021.
- 13.2% diagnosed with fibromyalgia, higher in females per VA pain registry.
Health and Wellness Interpretation
The military asks women to serve with equal sacrifice, but these statistics reveal they are offered a profoundly unequal return on that service, paying a devastating premium in lifelong physical and mental health.
Military Service History
- Female OEF/OIF/OND veterans: 55% of post-9/11 female veterans, over 600,000 served per DoD 2022.
- Women comprised 11% of active-duty personnel in 2020, with 72% of female veterans serving post-1990.
- 17% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are women, totaling 450,000 as of 2021 DoD reports.
- Female veterans' average length of service: 7.2 years, shorter than 8.5 for males per VA 2021.
- 1.8 million women have served in US military since Revolution, 300,000 in WWII per National WWII Museum.
- 16% of Veterans Health Administration users are women, up from 5% in 2000 per VHA 2022 annual report.
- Female Army veterans: 38% of female veterans, largest branch per DoD 2021 demographics.
- 85,000 women served in Vietnam War, 87% in Army Nurse Corps per Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- Post-9/11 female veterans: 40% served in combat arms roles by 2020 DoD policy change.
- Female Air Force veterans: 22% of female vets, with high rates in medical fields per VA 2021.
- 2.7 million women served 1990-2021, 1 million in GWOT per Congressional Research Service.
- Female Navy veterans: 20% of total, many as pilots post-1993 combat exclusion lift.
- 8% of female veterans are Guard/Reserve only, 92% prior active duty per 2020 RCS data.
- Female Marine Corps veterans: 5% of female vets, lowest branch share per VA demographics.
- 25,000 women served in Gulf War 1990-1991, 6% of deployed forces per GWOT report.
- Coast Guard female veterans: 4% of female total, growing with integrated service since 1973.
- 35% of female veterans deployed to hazardous duty areas post-9/11 per DoD 2022.
- Korean War female veterans: 12,000 living, mostly nurses per KWVMF data 2021.
- Female Space Force veterans emerging, <1% but 28% accession goal set 2020.
- WWI female veterans: 350 Yeomanettes served, first enlisted women per Navy History.
- 41% of female veterans served in GWOT eras combined per VA VetPop2021.
Military Service History Interpretation
While women have always been the vital, often unsung backbone of the U.S. military—from the 350 Yeomanettes of WWI to over 600,000 post-9/11 veterans—the stark reality is that our systems are still scrambling to catch up to the fact that a woman who served is, definitively, a veteran.
VA Benefits and Support
- 65% of female veterans receive VA disability compensation, averaging $15,200 annually per 2021 VBA.
- 1.2 million female vets enrolled in VA health care, 25% of total patients per FY2022.
- Homeless prevention: 85% success rate for female vets in HUD-VASH program 2021.
- Caregiver support: 40,000 female vets designated caregivers receiving stipends per 2022.
- 28% service connection grant rate for female vets vs 35% males in FY2021 VBA.
- Vocational rehab participation: 18,000 female vets in VR&E program 2021, 75% completion.
- $4.5 billion in VA home loans to female vets in 2022, 12% of total.
- 95% of female vets satisfied with VA care per 2022 VHA survey.
- Adaptive housing grants: 1,200 awarded to female vets 2018-2022 SHA.
- 320,000 female vets receive pension benefits, averaging $9,800 yearly per 2021.
- Telehealth visits: 60% of female vet appointments in 2022, highest utilization.
- 75,000 female vets in caregiver program, 22% receive monthly stipend avg $2,100.
- Dental care eligibility: 85% of female service-connected vets receive per VADIP 2021.
- 42% of female vets use CHAMPVA, covering 180,000 dependents per 2022.
- Education claims processed: 250,000 for female vets/dependents in FY2022 GI Bill.
- Life insurance: 1.1 million female vets covered by SGLI/VGLI avg $400k.
- 92% claims processing within 125 days for female vet appeals 2021.
- Women Veterans Program Managers at 100% VA facilities per 2022 initiative.
- $1.2 billion in VetSuccess grants to female-led orgs 2017-2022 SSVF.
- 88% of female vets rated for MST claims approved in 2021 special review.
VA Benefits and Support Interpretation
Female veterans are proving their service is not only invaluable in uniform but also in navigating the VA's labyrinth, where they fight for and win critical support—though sometimes at a steeper price than their brothers-in-arms.
Sources & References
- Reference 1VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 2CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 3BENEFITSbenefits.va.govVisit source
- Reference 4RURALHEALTHruralhealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 5BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 6CAREGIVERcaregiver.va.govVisit source
- Reference 7HUDUSERhuduser.govVisit source
- Reference 8MIGRATIONPOLICYmigrationpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 9DMDCdmdc.osd.milVisit source
- Reference 10MILITARYONESOURCEmilitaryonesource.milVisit source
- Reference 11PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 12NATIONALWW2MUSEUMnationalww2museum.orgVisit source
- Reference 13DIVERSITYdiversity.defense.govVisit source
- Reference 14VVMFvvmf.orgVisit source
- Reference 15DEFENSEdefense.govVisit source
- Reference 16CRSREPORTScrsreports.congress.govVisit source
- Reference 17HISTORYhistory.navy.milVisit source
- Reference 18RANDOMSURVEYSrandomsurveys.comVisit source
- Reference 19RANDrand.orgVisit source
- Reference 20USCGuscg.milVisit source
- Reference 21KOREANWARVETSMEMORIALkoreanwarvetsmemorial.orgVisit source
- Reference 22SPACEFORCEspaceforce.milVisit source
- Reference 23PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 24HSRDhsrd.research.va.govVisit source
- Reference 25HEALTHhealth.milVisit source
- Reference 26WOMENSHEALTHwomenshealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 27MIRECCmirecc.va.govVisit source
- Reference 28RESEARCHresearch.va.govVisit source
- Reference 29JAMANETWORKjamanetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 30NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 31FEEDINGAMERICAfeedingamerica.orgVisit source
- Reference 32ACADEMICacademic.oup.comVisit source
- Reference 33CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 34MILITARYMEDICINEmilitarymedicine.amsus.orgVisit source
- Reference 35AUDIOLOGYaudiology.orgVisit source
- Reference 36PUBLICHEALTHpublichealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 37NCESnces.ed.govVisit source
- Reference 38ADVOCACYadvocacy.sba.govVisit source
- Reference 39DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 40KAUFFMANkauffman.orgVisit source
- Reference 41IWPRiwpr.orgVisit source
- Reference 42HUDhud.govVisit source
- Reference 43REHABrehab.va.govVisit source
- Reference 44BVAbva.va.govVisit source