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
- 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
- About 5.4 million female Veterans live in the U.S. as of 2023, accounting for roughly 30% of the total Veteran population
- Post-9/11 Veterans number around 4.3 million in 2023, representing 24% of all living Veterans
- Gulf War era Veterans (1990-2001) total 5.7 million, or 32% of Veterans, as of 2022
- Vietnam-era Veterans comprise 6.5 million, or 37% of the Veteran population in 2023
- 9% of Veterans are Hispanic or Latino, higher than the 7% in the general population, per 2021 Census data
- Black or African American Veterans number 2.1 million, or 12% of Veterans, in 2022
- Veterans aged 75 and older total 4.8 million in 2023, making up 27% of all Veterans
- 54% of Veterans live in suburban areas, 28% in urban, and 18% in rural areas as of 2021
- The 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)
- 7.1 million Veterans served only in peacetime eras, comprising 40% of the total in 2022
- As of 2023, 1.1 million Veterans are enrolled in VA health care who served in Iraq/Afghanistan
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities total 5.1 million, or 29% of Veterans in 2023
- 33% of Veterans have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 32% of non-Veterans in 2021
- Rural Veterans number 4.1 million, or 23% of all Veterans, in 2022
- 16% of Veterans are married to other Veterans, per 2021 data
- Asian American Veterans total 0.4 million, or 2% of Veterans, in 2022
- 1.4 million Veterans served in both Gulf War eras (1990-present), 8% of total in 2023
- 35% of homeless adults are Veterans, despite being only 7-8% of the general population
- In 2023, 33,000 Veterans were experiencing homelessness on a single night
- Veterans represent 12% of the homeless adult population in 2023
- 60% of homeless Veterans are unsheltered, higher than the 49% general homeless rate in 2023
- The Veteran homelessness rate decreased 7.5% from 2022 to 2023
- In 2023, 37 states saw a decrease in Veteran homelessness
- 8% of homeless Veterans are female, compared to 6% in general homeless population in 2023
- Los Angeles has the largest Veteran homeless population at 3,265 in 2023
- 91% reduction in Veteran homelessness since 2009 peak, from 47,725 to 33,000 in 2023
- Chronically homeless Veterans number 4,129 in 2023, 12% of Veteran homeless
- 25% of Veteran homeless have severe mental illness, vs 23% general in 2023
Demographics 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
- 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
- Gulf War era II Veterans (post-2001) have 4.2% unemployment in 2022
- 27% of Veterans are self-employed, higher than 10% civilians, 2021 data
- Median weekly earnings for Veteran men $1,242 vs $1,144 non-Veteran in 2022
- 5.8 million Veteran-owned businesses employ 5.8 million people in 2022
- Disability employment gap: 47% of disabled Veterans employed vs 78% non-disabled, 2022
- Veteran underemployment rate 7.2% in 2023
- 12% of federal workforce are Veterans
- Post-9/11 women Veterans unemployment 4.1% in 2022
- 35% of Veterans work in management/professional occupations, 2022 BLS
- Veteran poverty rate 6.4% vs 10.5% general population in 2021
- 1.8 million Veterans participate in Vocational Rehabilitation program since 2019
- Average VA disability compensation $18,000 annually for 5.1M Veterans in 2023
- 8% of small businesses are Veteran-owned, generating $1.1 trillion revenue, 2022
- Black Veteran unemployment 5.3% vs 6.1% Black civilians, 2022
- 42% of Veterans aged 25-34 employed full-time, highest participation, 2022
- VA for Vets placed 90,000 Veterans in jobs since 2001
- Hispanic Veterans unemployment 3.9% in 2022
- 15% of Veterans receive unemployment insurance, lower than civilians, 2021
Employment 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
- 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
- 22 Veterans die by suicide daily, based on 2022 CDC data adjusted for Veterans
- 12% of post-9/11 Veterans screen positive for PTSD
- Depression affects 23% of Veterans using VA services in FY2022
- 37% of homeless Veterans have serious mental illness
- Bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2.5% of VA-enrolled Veterans in 2022
- 15% of Gulf War Veterans have chronic multisymptom illness with mental components
- Anxiety disorders in 19% of Veterans seeking VA mental health care
- 7% of Veterans have schizophrenia or psychotic disorders
- Military sexual trauma reported by 23% of women and 4% of men Veterans, linked to mental health
- Substance use disorder in 11% of Veterans, often comorbid with PTSD
- 25% of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans have depression
- Veteran suicide attempts average 6,000 per year, per 2022 VA data
- 50% of Veteran suicides involve firearms
- TBI and PTSD comorbidity in 48% of cases among post-9/11 Veterans
- 18% of female Veterans have PTSD, higher than male 9%
- VA mental health visits totaled 4.5 million unique patients in FY2022
- Adjustment disorders in 8% of Veterans, common post-service
- 14% of Veterans aged 18-34 report serious psychological distress
- Dementia affects 15% of Veterans over 65, with higher rates in those with PTSD
- 9% of Veterans have eating disorders diagnoses
- Insomnia prevalent in 42% of Veterans with PTSD
Mental 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
- 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
- 24% of post-9/11 Veterans have a musculoskeletal disability as primary condition
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over 450,000 post-9/11 Veterans
- 30% of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans have hearing loss
- VA amputee patients total 2,352 new cases in FY2022, mostly lower limb
- 18% of Gulf War Veterans report Gulf War Illness symptoms persisting
- Diabetes is diagnosed in 25% of Veterans using VA health care
- 16% of Veterans have hypertension as a service-connected condition in 2023
- VA provided prosthetics to 250,000 Veterans in FY2022
- 11% of post-9/11 Veterans have PTSD with comorbid physical health issues
- Cancer rates among Veterans are 10% higher than civilians due to exposures
- 40% of older Veterans have arthritis, leading cause of disability
- Respiratory conditions affect 15% of Vietnam Veterans with service-connected ratings
- 22% of Veterans report chronic pain, higher than 17% in civilians
- VA spinal cord injury patients number 44,000 in 2022
- 28% of disabled Veterans have limitations in instrumental activities of daily living
- Blindness/visual impairment service-connected for 48,000 Veterans in 2023
- Heart disease is the top cause of death among Veterans, 24% of VA deaths in 2022
- 17% of Veterans aged 65+ have dementia or cognitive impairment
- 21% of post-9/11 female Veterans report military sexual trauma-related physical health issues
- 35% of Veterans with TBI have post-traumatic epilepsy
- In 2022, 20% of Veterans reported fair or poor health status, vs 14% civilians
- 12% of Veterans have coronary artery disease service-connected
Physical 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