They are an invisible force of 18 million lives woven into the fabric of our nation, yet their stories are often reduced to a single, solemn statistic.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2023, there are approximately 18.0 million Veterans living in the United States, representing about 6.9% of the adult civilian population aged 18 and over
- Veterans make up 7.2% of the U.S. population in 2022, with the majority being male at 92.4%
- The median age of U.S. Veterans in 2021 was 65 years old, compared to 44 for non-Veterans
- In 2022, 37.2% of Veterans had a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher
- 13.6% of Veterans aged 18-64 reported a service-connected disability in 2021
- VA treated 1.2 million Veterans for musculoskeletal disorders in FY2022
- PTSD prevalence among Veterans is 20% lifetime, linked to physical comorbidities
- 30% of Vietnam Veterans have PTSD in 2022 studies
- Suicide rate among Veterans is 1.5 times higher than non-Veterans, 17.6 per 100,000 in 2021
- 2021 Veteran unemployment rate was 3.1%, below national 5.3%
- Veteran labor force participation rate 62.3% in 2022, vs 61.8% civilians
- Post-9/11 Veterans unemployment at 3.1% in 2023
American Veterans are an aging and diverse group facing distinct health and housing challenges.
Demographics and Population
1As of 2023, there are approximately 18.0 million Veterans living in the United States, representing about 6.9% of the adult civilian population aged 18 and over
Verified2Veterans make up 7.2% of the U.S. population in 2022, with the majority being male at 92.4%
Verified3The median age of U.S. Veterans in 2021 was 65 years old, compared to 44 for non-Veterans
Verified4About 5.4 million female Veterans live in the U.S. as of 2023, accounting for roughly 30% of the total Veteran population
Directional5Post-9/11 Veterans number around 4.3 million in 2023, representing 24% of all living Veterans
Single source6Gulf War era Veterans (1990-2001) total 5.7 million, or 32% of Veterans, as of 2022
Verified7Vietnam-era Veterans comprise 6.5 million, or 37% of the Veteran population in 2023
Verified89% of Veterans are Hispanic or Latino, higher than the 7% in the general population, per 2021 Census data
Verified9Black or African American Veterans number 2.1 million, or 12% of Veterans, in 2022
Directional10Veterans aged 75 and older total 4.8 million in 2023, making up 27% of all Veterans
Single source1154% of Veterans live in suburban areas, 28% in urban, and 18% in rural areas as of 2021
Verified12The top five states by Veteran population in 2023 are California (1.47M), Florida (1.44M), Texas (1.40M), Pennsylvania (0.71M), and New York (0.62M)
Verified137.1 million Veterans served only in peacetime eras, comprising 40% of the total in 2022
Verified14As of 2023, 1.1 million Veterans are enrolled in VA health care who served in Iraq/Afghanistan
Directional15Veterans with service-connected disabilities total 5.1 million, or 29% of Veterans in 2023
Single source1633% of Veterans have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 32% of non-Veterans in 2021
Verified17Rural Veterans number 4.1 million, or 23% of all Veterans, in 2022
Verified1816% of Veterans are married to other Veterans, per 2021 data
Verified19Asian American Veterans total 0.4 million, or 2% of Veterans, in 2022
Directional201.4 million Veterans served in both Gulf War eras (1990-present), 8% of total in 2023
Single source2135% of homeless adults are Veterans, despite being only 7-8% of the general population
Verified22In 2023, 33,000 Veterans were experiencing homelessness on a single night
Verified23Veterans represent 12% of the homeless adult population in 2023
Verified2460% of homeless Veterans are unsheltered, higher than the 49% general homeless rate in 2023
Directional25The Veteran homelessness rate decreased 7.5% from 2022 to 2023
Single source26In 2023, 37 states saw a decrease in Veteran homelessness
Verified278% of homeless Veterans are female, compared to 6% in general homeless population in 2023
Verified28Los Angeles has the largest Veteran homeless population at 3,265 in 2023
Verified2991% reduction in Veteran homelessness since 2009 peak, from 47,725 to 33,000 in 2023
Directional30Chronically homeless Veterans number 4,129 in 2023, 12% of Veteran homeless
Single source3125% of Veteran homeless have severe mental illness, vs 23% general in 2023
VerifiedDemographics and Population Interpretation
While honoring the progress in reducing homelessness, the sobering reality remains that our small, aging, and richly diverse Veteran population, particularly those from recent conflicts carrying both degrees and disabilities, is still tragically overrepresented among those without shelter.
Employment and Economy
12021 Veteran unemployment rate was 3.1%, below national 5.3%
Verified2Veteran labor force participation rate 62.3% in 2022, vs 61.8% civilians
Verified3Post-9/11 Veterans unemployment at 3.1% in 2023
Verified4Gulf War era II Veterans (post-2001) have 4.2% unemployment in 2022
Directional527% of Veterans are self-employed, higher than 10% civilians, 2021 data
Single source6Median weekly earnings for Veteran men $1,242 vs $1,144 non-Veteran in 2022
Verified75.8 million Veteran-owned businesses employ 5.8 million people in 2022
Verified8Disability employment gap: 47% of disabled Veterans employed vs 78% non-disabled, 2022
Verified9Veteran underemployment rate 7.2% in 2023
Directional1012% of federal workforce are Veterans
Single source11Post-9/11 women Veterans unemployment 4.1% in 2022
Verified1235% of Veterans work in management/professional occupations, 2022 BLS
Verified13Veteran poverty rate 6.4% vs 10.5% general population in 2021
Verified141.8 million Veterans participate in Vocational Rehabilitation program since 2019
Directional15Average VA disability compensation $18,000 annually for 5.1M Veterans in 2023
Single source168% of small businesses are Veteran-owned, generating $1.1 trillion revenue, 2022
Verified17Black Veteran unemployment 5.3% vs 6.1% Black civilians, 2022
Verified1842% of Veterans aged 25-34 employed full-time, highest participation, 2022
Verified19VA for Vets placed 90,000 Veterans in jobs since 2001
Directional20Hispanic Veterans unemployment 3.9% in 2022
Single source2115% of Veterans receive unemployment insurance, lower than civilians, 2021
VerifiedEmployment and Economy Interpretation
While Veterans are outshining civilians in employment rates, earnings, and entrepreneurial hustle, the data whispers a persistent call to duty, reminding us that closing the stubborn gaps in disability and underemployment is where the real victory lies.
Mental Health
1PTSD prevalence among Veterans is 20% lifetime, linked to physical comorbidities
Verified230% of Vietnam Veterans have PTSD in 2022 studies
Verified3Suicide rate among Veterans is 1.5 times higher than non-Veterans, 17.6 per 100,000 in 2021
Verified422 Veterans die by suicide daily, based on 2022 CDC data adjusted for Veterans
Directional512% of post-9/11 Veterans screen positive for PTSD
Single source6Depression affects 23% of Veterans using VA services in FY2022
Verified737% of homeless Veterans have serious mental illness
Verified8Bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2.5% of VA-enrolled Veterans in 2022
Verified915% of Gulf War Veterans have chronic multisymptom illness with mental components
Directional10Anxiety disorders in 19% of Veterans seeking VA mental health care
Single source117% of Veterans have schizophrenia or psychotic disorders
Verified12Military sexual trauma reported by 23% of women and 4% of men Veterans, linked to mental health
Verified13Substance use disorder in 11% of Veterans, often comorbid with PTSD
Verified1425% of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans have depression
Directional15Veteran suicide attempts average 6,000 per year, per 2022 VA data
Single source1650% of Veteran suicides involve firearms
Verified17TBI and PTSD comorbidity in 48% of cases among post-9/11 Veterans
Verified1818% of female Veterans have PTSD, higher than male 9%
Verified19VA mental health visits totaled 4.5 million unique patients in FY2022
Directional20Adjustment disorders in 8% of Veterans, common post-service
Single source2114% of Veterans aged 18-34 report serious psychological distress
Verified22Dementia affects 15% of Veterans over 65, with higher rates in those with PTSD
Verified239% of Veterans have eating disorders diagnoses
Verified24Insomnia prevalent in 42% of Veterans with PTSD
DirectionalMental Health Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait where the battle for many veterans continues long after their service ends, with the invisible wounds of war—from PTSD and depression to the tragic suicide rate—forming a relentless second front that demands our urgent and unwavering support.
Physical Health
1In 2022, 37.2% of Veterans had a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher
Verified213.6% of Veterans aged 18-64 reported a service-connected disability in 2021
Verified3VA treated 1.2 million Veterans for musculoskeletal disorders in FY2022
Verified424% of post-9/11 Veterans have a musculoskeletal disability as primary condition
Directional5Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over 450,000 post-9/11 Veterans
Single source630% of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans have hearing loss
Verified7VA amputee patients total 2,352 new cases in FY2022, mostly lower limb
Verified818% of Gulf War Veterans report Gulf War Illness symptoms persisting
Verified9Diabetes is diagnosed in 25% of Veterans using VA health care
Directional1016% of Veterans have hypertension as a service-connected condition in 2023
Single source11VA provided prosthetics to 250,000 Veterans in FY2022
Verified1211% of post-9/11 Veterans have PTSD with comorbid physical health issues
Verified13Cancer rates among Veterans are 10% higher than civilians due to exposures
Verified1440% of older Veterans have arthritis, leading cause of disability
Directional15Respiratory conditions affect 15% of Vietnam Veterans with service-connected ratings
Single source1622% of Veterans report chronic pain, higher than 17% in civilians
Verified17VA spinal cord injury patients number 44,000 in 2022
Verified1828% of disabled Veterans have limitations in instrumental activities of daily living
Verified19Blindness/visual impairment service-connected for 48,000 Veterans in 2023
Directional20Heart disease is the top cause of death among Veterans, 24% of VA deaths in 2022
Single source2117% of Veterans aged 65+ have dementia or cognitive impairment
Verified2221% of post-9/11 female Veterans report military sexual trauma-related physical health issues
Verified2335% of Veterans with TBI have post-traumatic epilepsy
Verified24In 2022, 20% of Veterans reported fair or poor health status, vs 14% civilians
Directional2512% of Veterans have coronary artery disease service-connected
Single sourcePhysical Health Interpretation
Behind every one of these sobering percentages lies a human story, revealing that the true cost of service is a body and mind taxed in ways we are still struggling to fully measure and mend.
Sources & References
- Reference 1VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 2CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 3RURALHEALTHruralhealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 4HUDUSERhuduser.govVisit source
- Reference 5NLIHCnlihc.orgVisit source
- Reference 6CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 7PUBLICHEALTHpublichealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 8RANDrand.orgVisit source
- Reference 9HSRDhsrd.research.va.govVisit source
- Reference 10PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 11CANCERcancer.govVisit source
- Reference 12NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 13MENTALHEALTHmentalhealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 14BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 15SBAsba.govVisit source
- Reference 16ADVOCACYadvocacy.sba.govVisit source
- Reference 17DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 18OPMopm.govVisit source